06 February 2024 , 12:00
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A man who sneaked into his ex-girlfriends home while high on monkey dust, performed a sex act on her bed in a terrifying campaign of abuse.
James Horn attacked his former partner on three occasions, intentionally strangling her repeatedly punching her in the head and pulling her hair, as well as destroying her property. At one point he threatened to kill her with a knife and pour petrol through her letterbox.
Prosecutor Anthony Longworth told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: "He had been in a relationship for seven months before November 2022. The relationship had been ended by her three weeks before. He says it was continuing. She ended it because of his behaviour. She is vulnerable and has mental health problems caused by drug use. She had asked him to return his keys but he managed to get in to her house either through a window or previous damage caused by him.
"On November 30 she went out to visit with her children. She returned home at 6.30pm. He was in the bedroom. She asked him what he was doing and he said he wanted to have sex. She refused. He became very aggressive. He was strangling and punching her. He had done that before. She couldn't breathe. He was in a jealous rage, calling her a s**t and a s**g. He accused her of having sex with the neighbour.
"She kept pushing him away. He strangled her again and pulled her hair, punching her to the side of the head. He accused her of seeing other men. He repeatedly told her that he was going to kill her with a knife. When the attack ended she went downstairs. They had an argument about her owing him money.
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"He said he wouldn't go unless she paid him. His benefits were paid into her bank account. He said he would pour petrol through her letterbox. He broke her mobile phone. He did so so that she would be unable to contact the police."
Refusing to leave her home, the court heard the 35-year-old defendant, of no fixed address, attacked her again on December 2, demanding sex and punching her, also breaking a replacement mobile. He assaulted her once more on December 3 by strangling and slapping her. He also said he would break her legs and that he knew people on the estate who would kill her.
In a victim impact statement, his ex said she was now 'terrified of him' and 'always watching her back'. Horn - who has numerous previous convictions for shoplifting, breaching court orders, possessing a bladed article and criminal damage - pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional strangulation, making threats to kill, threats to damage or destroy property, criminal damage, two counts of damaging or destroying property and assault by beating.
Barry White, mitigating, said: "His last conviction dates back a number of years. He is studying reading and writing. He says that he's remorseful for his actions. His own view is that his behaviour was absolutely appalling. He presents in a different way to the person described. He is very quiet and amenable. He was under the influence of alcohol and monkey dust. He has learning difficulties. He knows that the sentence will be one of custody."
Jailing Horn for 40 months, Judge Graeme Smith told him: "It's clear in your own words that this was a toxic relationship with her. Clearly your behaviour was appalling in your own words. You resorted to strangling her which caused her considerable distress. You broke her phone. You punched her to the head. You have shown genuine remorse."
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control you can call Refuge's 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free. The number is 0808 2000 247