MAN WHO ABUSED AND THREATENED TO KILL PARTNER SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS
A man who physically, verbally and psychologically abused his partner over the course of six years has been sentenced to 11 years in prison.James Oakes, aged 38, from Greenisland, County Antrim, will also spend an additional four years on licence following his release.
Oakes pleaded guilty to a total of 43 offences committed between 31 November 2014 and 19 December 2020, including multiple assaults, threats to kill, and criminal damage.
The court heard disturbing details of Oakes’s violent and coercive behavior, which caused his partner to suffer serious injuries and psychological trauma.
Significant incidents include attacks with weapons such as a hammer while she was pregnant, threats to burn her alive, bury her in the garden, and remove her teeth with pliers.
Oakes also wrote 'Death is dishonour' on her kitchen wall in white paint and on the same day dragged her by the hair into the garden while threatening to bury her, even while she was pregnant.
The victim’s account detailed repeated assaults, including being slapped, kicked, strangled, and hit with implements like a fire poker and curtain pole.
He caused her to flee through a window and twice attempted to throw her through a window.
She also attended hospital after being kicked and punched, and a perforated eardrum was documented.
Between March and April 2019, Oakes threatened to remove her teeth with pliers and dug a hole in her arm with a plastic potato peeler.
In 2019, the abuse escalated, including continued threats and acts of violence.
In 2020, Oakes physically attacked her with a hammer while she was pregnant, strangled her, and hit her with a metal pole.
The victim suffered a miscarriage in October of that year.
Her car was also vandalized by slashing all four tires.
His threats extended to covering her in lighter fluid and threatening to set her on fire.
Throughout these years, Oakes demonstrated controlling and degrading behavior, which profoundly affected his partner, who has since been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder.
During the court proceedings, the victim provided a detailed 61-page statement describing the torment she endured and the long-term impact of his assaults.
The defense highlighted that Oakes's guilty pleas spared her from reliving the trauma in court and noted that his mental health issues, worsened by drug use, are being addressed.
The judge, Lynch, acknowledged her suffering and said her statement displayed the 'torment suffered by her during the relationship and the long-term consequences.' A senior public prosecutor commended the victim’s bravery and hope that the ruling allows her to begin healing.
Oakes was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, with a further four years on license, reflecting the severity of his actions.
