A man has been jailed an attack on his girlfriend in Wiltshire on Valentine’s Day.
Tyler Thornhill pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage at at Salisbury Crown Court last month.
On 14 February 2023, the 24-year-old, of Standfast Road, Bristol, forced his way into his ex-partners home in Warminster, grabbed her around the throat and took some belongings.
In a victim personal statement used in court, the woman said: “Every time I would try to leave the relationship he would threaten suicide.
“He would send photos from a height and say he’s going to jump, he would make ropes out of bedding and attempt to hang himself in front of me, he would even go as far as swallowing a large amount of pills in front of my eyes just so I wouldn’t leave him.
“I stayed silent to my friends and family about the abuse as I didn’t want them to hate him, I wanted to protect him as he promised me he would change. He never changed, he only got worse.
“There were only so many more beatings, breakdowns and emotional abuse I could take before enough was enough. Walking into work with black eyes, swollen lip and using the excuse ‘I fell over‘ wasn’t cutting it anymore.
“I never thought I would find the courage to report the abuse simply because I was too scared to find out the repercussions, he promised me that there was no place I could run or hide to where he wouldn’t be able to get to me, that’s what kept me silent.
“I constantly check multiple times through the night that doors are locked, curtains are shut, lights are off and even go as far as sellotaping the letterbox in fear that he would set fire to my house whilst I was asleep.
“Never in a million years did I think I was going to be able to leave the relationship, and the only way I thought I would was if I was dead.”
At his sentencing hearing on 29 April, he was jailed for 30 months and handed a 10-year restraining order prohibiting future contact with his victim.
Local Crime Investigator Suzanne Stone, from Wiltshire Police, said: “Thornhill put his victim through three years of abuse, including physical and mental.
“His behaviour and actions caused her to be in fear of repercussions, to the point they would not sleep and even caused them to move home.
“The impact of all these things stripped the victim of their confidence and trust, something which should never be allowed to happen to anyone.
“I welcome the sentencing that has been given to the suspect, especially the ten year restraining order that has been put in place. I hope the victim can now finally start to feel safe, and begin to move forwards with their life.
“Thornhill’s victim has shown great strength throughout the investigation, I commend her bravery for reaching out and standing up to this unacceptable behaviour.
“I urge anyone in any situation where they are being subjected to abuse to seek help and support, and stand up to the perpetrators of these crimes.”
