YOUNG MAN JAILED FOR APPALLING DOMESTIC ABUSE & RACIST ATTACKS

A 20-year-old man named Rio Steel has been convicted and sentenced for a prolonged campaign of domestic abuse against his former partner. Steel not only inflicted physical violence but also assaulted her in public locations such as the London Underground, where he seized her by the hair, pulled her close, and shouted in her face during a journey. He also caused significant damage to her property, including scratching her car with a key, costing £10,000 in repairs, and damaged furniture in her home. Steel engaged in controlling and coercive behaviors throughout their three-year relationship, including making racist remarks about her heritage and appearance, calling her derogatory names, and attempting to physically remove her from his residence. During an incident in October 2023, he threw her to the ground and dragged her around, resulting in bruising. On another trip to Stirling, he slapped her and caused her to rip her clothes after pushing her during dinner. Neighbors reported multiple assaults involving throwing her to the ground and preventing her from leaving. In February this year, on a train to Heathrow, Steel punched and kicked her, grabbed her leg forcefully, and used racist slurs during a flight. Upon returning to Aberdeen, he attempted to steal her phone, called her offensive names, and threatened to joyride her car. Police arrested Steel, who during custody made threats and used racist and homophobic slurs, claiming "You don’t know the reasons why I did it." Steel pleaded guilty to abusing his partner over three years, threatening her, and assaulting doormen in Aberdeen. In court, sheriff Daniel Kelly described Steel's behavior as "appalling" and acknowledged the significant impact on the victim, sentencing him to six months in prison, a 10-year non-harassment order, and a fine of £640 to be served as 28 days. The judge emphasized the serious nature of domestic abuse and represented it as a grave misconduct which called for custodial punishment due to the prolonged and damaging abuse.