Leeds man ‘rained down blows’ on partner and tried to put her head through TV in violent rage

Macauley Racz, 27, “rained down multiple blows” on the victim during the attack on July 8 this year, leaving her with nasty cuts and bruises.

Leeds Crown Court heard how Racz had started a relationship with the woman in March and had told her that he suffered from mental health issues, including schizophrenia, and was being medicated. After two months, the victim said the relationship “quickly deteriorated”.

He became erratic in his behaviour, calling her names and being unpleasant to her. In late May or early June, Racz assaulted his partner during one of his outbursts, punching her to the head and pushing her to the floor before kicking her to her side. The assault wasn’t reported to the police at the time and the pair continued the relationship.

On July 8, the victim arrived at the defendant’s flat and he was described as “initially affectionate”. He went to bed and asked her to turn the volume down on the TV, where she was playing a video game. He later came back and asked her to turn the TV off completely, telling her he was hearing voices coming from it. His partner tried to reassure Racz but he became enraged.

Racz attacked his partner again, dragging her to the floor by her hair and repeatedly punching her in the face. She attempted to crawl across the floor to get her mobile phone and summon help, but Racz dragged her back and continued to punch her repeatedly to the head.

Gareth Henderson-Moore, prosecuting, said: “At one stage he tried to put her head through the TV. The defendant rained down multiple blows on the complainant and when she tried to get away, dragged her back.”

The attack ended when a neighbour heard the commotion and came to the flat. The victim was injured and in distress and the neighbour took her out, while Racz was heard smashing things in the flat. The woman was left with “nasty cuts and bruising and significant bleeding”, Mr Henderson-Moore said.

Racz, of Halliday Road, Garforth, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He has no previous convictions.

Phillip Mahoney, mitigating, said Racz had been taking his medication for schizophrenia but the effectiveness of it had appeared to deteriorate and he had become symptomatic. Mr Mahoney added: “This offence is inextricably linked to Mr Racz’s mental illness. He was doing what he was supposed to be doing. He was taking his meds.”

Racz was sentenced to eight months in jail, suspended for 18 months. He was also handed a 20-day rehabilitation order and a restraining order preventing him from approaching or communicating with the victim or going to her home.

Passing his sentencing remarks, Recorder Richard Thyne said: “You caused her some really nasty looking injuries. Domestic violence in any situation is extremely serious. What you did to her was extremely distressing for her and will no doubt be something she will find difficult to ever forget.”