Controlling boyfriend choked partner, threatened her with a carving knife and destroyed her make up during abuse at their home in Leeds

A controlling boyfriend threatened his partner with a knife and subjected her to humiliating abuse and threats as their relationship came to an end.
By Tony Gardner
Published 28th Jan 2021, 11:45 GMT
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Lewis Starkey destroyed the woman's mobile phone and make up and threw water over her as she got ready for a birthday party during a series of incidents at their home in Leeds.

Starkey was given a suspended prison sentence and was made the subject of a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim for the next five years after pleading guilty to criminal damage and making threats to kill.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Gareth Henderson-Moore, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court how the offending took place during the final few months of their two-year relationship.

Leeds Crown CourtLeeds Crown Court
Leeds Crown Court

Starkey demanded money from the woman and made regular degrading comments about her between April and June 2019.

On one occasion he smashed her phone.

Read More
'Simply unable and unwilling to abide by the rules of the road': Leeds drink dri...

He threw water over her as she got ready for her brother's birthday party then told her he would hurt her if anybody looked at her.

Starkey assaulted the woman by kicking and stamping on her when she was on the ground.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On further occasions her threatened to kill her and held a large carving knife to her throat.

Mr Henderson-Moore said the woman genuinely believed she was going to die.

In a statement to the court the victim described how she felt relieved now the relationship was over but continued to live in fear of being attacked by Starkey.

The 23-year-old, of Roundhay Road, Leeds, has previous convictions for possessing a blade and breach of a community order.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Michael Walsh, mitigating, said Starkey pleaded guilty to the offences at an early stage and had spent time in prison on remand since his arrest for the offences.

Starkey was given a 21-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Judge Andrew Stubbs QC said: "The way you treated your partner was terrible. It really deserves a prison sentence.

"I hope you appreciate how close you have come to leaving court through the back door and going to prison."