THOMAS-JAY HUGHES FROM STOKE-ON-TRENT SENTENCED AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE AND VIOLENCE

Thomas-Jay Hughes, a man from Stoke-on-Trent, has been convicted and sentenced for a prolonged history of domestic abuse and violent behavior. The victim, who was in a relationship with Hughes from the age of 15, endured a series of increasingly severe assaults that spanned several years, culminating in a criminal trial that brought his actions to light.

According to court reports, the relationship was marked by physical violence from the very beginning. The victim described how Hughes would frequently slap her, initially dismissing these acts as minor 'slaps.' However, over time, the violence escalated significantly. Hughes would often strangle her to the point where she could not breathe, with incidents occurring at least three times daily. Each encounter left her with visible bruises, swollen lips, and injuries from punches, as well as damage to household items during their altercations.

Hughes also exerted control over her communication and social interactions. He would confiscate her phone whenever they met, effectively isolating her from friends and family. This control extended to her daily life, as she was prevented from attending college or work, further isolating her from the outside world.

The victim recounted that whenever she attempted to break free from the relationship, Hughes would resort to extreme measures to manipulate and threaten her. She described instances where he would facetime her with knives pressed to his neck and chest, threatening to take his own life if she did not reconcile with him. On several occasions, Hughes attempted to self-harm in her presence, including trying to slit his wrists or hang himself, especially when she threatened to leave him.

One of the most traumatic incidents occurred on her 17th birthday. Hughes, during an argument, strangled her and then grabbed her hand, bending her little finger back until it broke. She spent her birthday alone in hospital, with her finger strapped for several weeks. Just days later, during another heated argument triggered by a message from a male friend, Hughes became violent again. He grabbed a pair of scissors and, in a terrifying display of aggression, cut off her clothes, leaving her naked on the bed. He then cut her hair and pressed the scissors to her throat, threatening to kill her if she tried to leave the relationship.

Hughes continued his assault by destroying her belongings, breaking her phone and AirPods, and physically beating her throughout the night. Fearing for her life, she eventually called the police. Hughes was arrested and placed on remand for ten months. In January 2025, he was sentenced to serve three years and eight months in prison. Additionally, the court issued a ten-year restraining order to protect the victim from further contact or harassment.

This case highlights the severe and ongoing nature of domestic abuse and the importance of legal action to protect victims from their abusers.