'I want my happy life back' - domestic abuse victim

Leon Richmond was jailed for 31 months at Preston Crown Court

A woman who became the victim of months of violent abuse at the hands of her partner has told a court she remains "trapped" by the ordeal but hopes to one day get her "happy life back".

The woman was pregnant when she was twice throttled by Leon Richmond, who also bit her, threatened to kill her and regularly accused her of being unfaithful.

The 29-year-old was jailed for 31 months at Preston Crown Court after admitting intentional strangulation and engaging in coercive controlling behaviour.

The woman said Richmond had been the "perfect partner" at the start of their relationship but came to realise it was "an act" and not "the real him".

Richmond, now of no fixed address but formerly of Bolton, Greater Manchester, was previously jailed for a similar offence in 2022, the court heard.

Lancashire Police said over 19 months Richmond had also constantly undermined the woman, criticised and verbally abused her, destroyed or threatened to destroy her property, threw food at her if he did not like it and bombarded her with abusive messages.

'Head over heels'

In a victim impact statement, the woman said: "I would first like to say that I have thought long and hard about the person that I was before I met Richmond. The word that mostly comes to mind was happy. I loved life, I had lots of people surrounding me. I had everything. I was confident, sociable and had a real zest for life.

"But it also saddens me that I am no longer this person.

"Richmond was the perfect partner in the beginning. I cannot describe how good he was. When I think about him, I fully understand why and how I fell head over heels in love with him.

"I just wish this act was the real him. I am a survivor. I survived domestic abuse. I am proud that I can say this. I know many people can't.

"I also know that had I not taken steps to protect myself and my children that this situation would have continued. You can't fully put into words how fast and irrevocably your life can change completely due to one decision. This is what I am living now. My decision was Richmond."

'Daily nightmare'

She continued: "My mental health is suffering as a direct result of him. I have triggers which I am working through and am still discovering new ones.

"This is debilitating. I stay near my home address, near familiar places, don't feel safe going out and if I do go out I feel like I will have a panic attack.

"I am trying my hardest to get back to being the woman I know. I want my happy life back. I want my confidence I wasn't scared of anybody or anything I truly was free before him and now I am trapped."

Det Con Sarah Birtwistle said: "Richmond's behaviour towards the victim is reprehensible and has had a significant and ongoing impact on her. He quickly turned from a loving boyfriend into a monster who made the victim's life a daily nightmare.

"Such behaviour has no place in our society."

Richmond was also made subject of an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim directly or indirectly.

Richmond was previously jailed for 28 months in June 2022 at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court after admitting engaging in controlling coercive behaviour.