A 'Jekyll and Hyde' thug who suffocated, bit and pointed a fake gun at his girlfriend in a series of frenzied and violent rages has been jailed.
Jason Dyer, 37, of Patterdale Avenue in Ashton-Under-Lyne, who pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour, assault and intentional suffocation, was sentenced to prison at Minshull Street Crown Court, on December 16.
Prosecuting, Helen Longworth told the court how Dyer had been in a brief relationship with the complainant between February and June earlier this year.
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Ms Longworth said Dyer's behaviour under the influence of alcohol caused his partner to feel vulnerable and scared, but that he would apologise afterwards, and she felt lonely when she wasn't in a relationship with him. She described how early into their relationship Dyer became aggressive and locked the complainant in the house, locking all doors and windows and forcing her to flee through the living room window.
The court heard the complainant's mother had described how her daughter arrived at her house in April "covered in bruises" and said she had been beaten around the head with a pair of boots.
Ms Longworth described how on April 29, Dyer met the complainant in a pub. She said he was "heavily intoxicated," and knocked her phone out of her hand, causing two men to stand up in reaction to his behaviour. She described how, back at home, he "grabbed her by her hair and threw her into a cabinet."
The pair then went out into Stalybridge with two friends, and Ms Longworth said the complainant hoped their presence would act as a protection against Dyer's attacks, but that did not happen.
Instead, the court heard he hit the complainant in the face while they were out and headbutted her, before grabbing her by the hair and dragging her back to the house. Ms Longworth said Dyer then pointed a plastic gun at the complainant, cut up her clothes with a stanley knife and cut her hair and her leg with the blade.
On June 29, Ms Longworth told the court the complainant showed Dyer some new, leather leggings she had bought and he cut them up saying she "looked too good in them." On July 4, the court heard Dyer launched into a 'violent and aggressive' attack when the complainant went to his address to collect her passport- biting her nose and grabbing her face.
Ms Longworth said the complainant "felt that her legs were wet" and realised she had wet herself. Ms Longworth said Dyer "then put his hand across her mouth, put her to the floor in the kitchen and lay down on top of her. The complainant managed to run out of the house and called the police."
Ms Longworth said Dyer, who was arrested the following day, (July 5) then attempted to apologise and make up with the complainant by sending her messages and alluded to the fact he was going to take his own life.
A witness statement from the complainant said that she now has "no emotion" towards Dyer, who has 24 convictions for 41 offences, a history of domestic violence, and a previous conviction for battery in 2015, where he had attempted to suffocate a former partner. She claimed he "needed help," said he was not remorseful and she felt women were vulnerable and in danger in his presence.
Defending, Saul Brodie said Dyer was a different person when he wasn't drinking. He said Dyer "presented as a polite, pleasant and engaging, softly spoken person at odds with the facts of this case and his history."
He added: "He is a totally Jekyll and Hyde character. Drugs and alcohol turns him into a totally different person and he does not like that person."
Mr Brodie said Dyer was remorseful and had said of his actions: “I feel ashamed of myself. I hate myself for it." Mr Brodie said Dyer was aware of his problem with alcohol and drugs and added: "He said it turns him into a paranoid weirdo. He is deeply ashamed."
Mr Brodie claimed Dyer has empathy for his victim and told the court he had said of his assault: “I imagine it scared her to death”
Judge Miss Recorder Hudson said of the complainant: "You beat her, leaving bruises and threatened to kill yourself if she left you.
"On April 29, you threw her against a cabinet and pulled her hair. You pointed a gun at her and she must have been absolutely terrified by that. The relationship was obviously dying at that point but you continued to abuse her."
Speaking of Dyers attack on July 3, Judge Hudson said: "She was so scared that she wet herself. This kind of behaviour can lead to psychological harm."
She described Dyer as "heavily convicted" and said: "Your domestic violence history is appalling and you have a propensity towards suffocation. Those who use suffocation in domestic violence go to prison and you will do again if you use this method again. "
She sentenced him to three years in prison for three counts of coercive behaviour, assault and intentional suffocation. He was also given a five year restraining order.
Detective Constable Leanne Heath, of GMP’s Tameside district, said: “This last year has been an extremely traumatic time for the victim of Jason Dyer. Jason Dyer’s crimes are likely to affect the victim for the rest of her life. The trauma she was subjected to and made to live with will not simply go away just because the court process has concluded.
“I would like to thank the victim whole heartedly for her bravery, strength, and support in firstly reporting this to us and assisting our officers throughout this investigation which has ultimately put a dangerous man in prison. Her bravery and support she has shown has not only put him behind bars, but also prevented the same thing happening to someone else in our community.
“Greater Manchester Police will not tolerate domestic abuse of any form or violence against women and girls. We want all members of our community to feel they are not at risk of harm in their own homes or when simply walking the streets of Greater Manchester going about their daily lives.”
Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, or social background. Just one incident counts as abuse.
If you are suffering from physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse, or are being threatened, intimidated, or stalked by a current or previous partner or close family member, it’s likely you’re a victim of domestic abuse.
You're not to blame for what's happening. You're not alone. If you want to report abuse or have witnessed abuse, report it.
You can report by calling 101, 999 in an emergency or report online via our website: www.gmp.police.uk
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
We can also put you in touch with other support organisations that understand your specific needs.
You can find a list of organisations who can assist you here: https://www.gmp.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/daa/domestic-abuse/support-organisations/
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