Police officer pushed pregnant partner down stairs and controlled what she ate
A student police officer who pushed his pregnant partner down a flight of stairs is due to be sentenced next month.
Thomas Gair, 23, knocked his former partner unconscious after throwing her downstairs, flung her to the ground with a car door and bit her.
He also exerted control over what she was allowed to eat, making cruel comments about her weight and limiting her contact with friends, the court heard during his trial.
He has been found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and stalking at Durham Crown Court, and acquitted of two further assaults.
Gair leaving Durham Crown Court during the trial (TEESSIDE LIVE)Giving evidence this week, Gair's ex-partner told how she was repeatedly attacked and mocked, reports Teesside Live.
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She said: "Everyday with him was a battle and it completely changed me as a person."
Last Wednesday, the victim's mother told the court that she saw injuries on her daughter's body on numerous occasions, but clarified that she did not see Gair carry out the attacks.
She recalled finding her daughter sobbing while visiting the pair's former house in Norton.
Prosecutor Ian West then read out a text exchange between the woman's mum and Gair.
The defendant wrote: "I owe you an apology for the way I behaved and acted with [name of victim]. I'm really embarrassed and ashamed of the way I've gone on.
"I can completely understand your anger and concerns. If I was in that position I'd be livid to say the least. I went for this job because I wanted to be a role model and make the world a better place."
On Thursday, Gair admitted to being "moody, grumpy, awkward and hard work", but denied that he subjected his partner to a catalogue of assaults and controlling behaviour.
Giving evidence, he said he was the subject of an ongoing medical referral into possible autism and that he could be socially awkward.
Cleveland Police confirmed that Gair has been discharged from the force (North News & Pictures northnews.co.uk)The defendant previously told jurors: "I am quite quiet, shy and I rather enjoy my own company. I think I have always been like that and tend to avoid social interactions when I can."
Following the verdicts, Cleveland Police confirmed that Gair has been discharged from the force.
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Acting Superintendent John Bonner, Acting Head of Cleveland Police Directorate of Standards and Ethics, said: “Gair was a student officer with Cleveland Police studying at the force training school when reports were made that he was perpetrating domestic abuse against his partner.
“Those reports came from the victim and other student officers, who were able to identify the signs of domestic abuse from the learning they received prior to moving on to the independent patrol phase of their training.
“The reporting made by those officers is a testament of their morals in doing the right thing, abiding by the Code of Ethics. It enabled the Directorate of Standards and Ethics to take immediate and robust action in arresting Mr Gair within 24 hours of the report.
“During the investigation Cleveland Police applied, and were successful, in obtaining a Stalking Protection Order against Mr Gair from crown court.
"The swift arrest of Mr Gair and the Stalking Prevention Order ensured the force was able to safeguard the victim from any further offending.
“The Directorate of Standards and Ethics revoked Mr Gair’s vetting and applied for him to be discharged from Cleveland Police.
Giving evidence this week, Gair's ex-partner told how she was repeatedly attacked and mocked (Newcastle Chronicle)"Thomas Gair was discharged on March 17th 2023, having never been in contact with the public during his short time in the police service."
He added: “I am utterly committed to adopting the learning and recommendations found within the HMICFRS Investigation of Vetting, Misconduct, and Misogyny in the Police Service, The Baroness Casey Report and Centre of Women’s Justice Super Complaint.
“In addition to recommendations on how police forces should investigate allegations of police perpetrated domestic abuse, the reports place significant emphasis on all police forces to utilise the vetting regime and Regulation 13 (discharge of student officers).
"In doing so, we can root out police officers who are not fit to be in the service.
“This should be evident in our approach in removing Mr Gair from the police service as swiftly and lawfully as possible. Following today’s outcome, the force will now pursue the gross misconduct element of the investigation into the former officer, seeking to bar him from the police service.”
Christopher Atkinson, Head of the Crown Court Unit for CPS North East, commended the victim's bravery following the conviction.
He said: “Thomas Gair was possessive and manipulative towards his ex-partner throughout the course of their relationship. He exerted significant control over her behaviour, which extended to telling her who she could see and when she could go out.
"Their relationship was also punctuated by a catalogue of violent assaults including Gare pushing his then-pregnant partner downstairs, knocking her unconscious.
"I would like to recognise the swift action taken by Cleveland Police in this case, both in ensuring the safety of the victim and in obtaining the key evidence that has helped secure today’s convictions.
"I would also commend the bravery of the victim in this case, who has faced her abuser in court to give a compelling and credible account of his actions. I sincerely hope that she finds a measure of comfort in the conviction of Thomas Gair today.”
Gair has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on April 24.
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