SHEFFIELD MAN JAILED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND COERCIVE CONTROL
A petrified mother whose partner threatened to murder her blamed herself for the death of her two stillborn babies after being subjected to months of brutal beatings.Vile John Needham would kick, punch and slap his ex-partner and, on one occasion, headbutted her in the face breaking her nose.
The 23-year-old branded her a “slag”, “retard”, and “sket” and would often tell her she was fat and ugly, Sheffield Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Ian Goldsack said the pair began their relationship in May 2017 and that on three occasions Needham’s partner had fallen pregnant.
However, due to high blood pressure, the first two babies were stillborn, something Needham’s victim blames herself for after enduring months of abuse.
In September 2019, Needham told his ex that he wished she would die of cancer, Mr Goldsack told the court.
Just two days later, Needham flew into a jealous rage when his partner had liked a social media post of a friend.
Needham asked his dad to leave and he was heard to lock the front door.
His partner, knowing trouble was coming, began recording the ordeal on her mobile phone.
He slapped her on the leg and told her he had enough time to murder her.
Needham was said to have had “almost full control over her life” while a victim impact statement stated that she blamed herself for the death of the two babies due to high blood pressure.
Needham, of Spring Lane, Sheffield, admitted controlling and coercive behaviour and criminal damage and was sentenced to two years in prison.
