Coercive controller dubbed 'spokesman for men' forced 'worthless' partner to sleep in the woods
A violent thug who beat his girlfriend and controlled her life told a probation worker he believe "he could be a spokesman for men" before being put behind bars.
Domestic abuser Ijaz Saeed, 40, controlled what his partner wore, who she had on her social media and where she went during his campaign of restraint and terror over her. Leeds Crown Court heard on Monday he also beat her on two occasions. During the first, he refused to take her to hospital and after the second told her to leave their home, which led to her sleeping in the woods.
Prosecutor Brian Russwell told the court the couple met in 2016 following Saeed's release from prison for drugs offences. They entered into a relationship in 2018, which the woman said was "very good" for around a year before it went "downhill".
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Mr Russwell said: "He began to control the use over her phone and her contacts on social media. He instructed she delete a number of friends, particularly if they were male. He prevented her from going out and dressing the way she wanted. He was abusive and shouted at her and called her named, making her feel worthless."
The court heard the woman ended the relationship in April this year, but Saeed, of Moorside Avenue in Huddersfield, continued to harass her and would drive past her home and turn up at her location randomly.
Mr Russwell said that during the course of the relationship, Saeed would "habitually" become violent towards the woman, including two occasions in March 2021 and March this year. He said during the first incident the woman recalled being on the floor and Saeed "punched her hard to her ribs and kicked her in the same place".
He added: "She described being in agony overnight and found it difficult to breathe." The court heard Saeed refused to take the woman to hospital and when she eventually got there it was found her ribs were swollen and bruised. She was in recovery for 12 weeks.
Mr Russwell said that during an incident in March this year the woman was again attacked by Saeed who punched her in the ribs, pushed her into a wardrobe and then told her to leave. The prosecutor said: "She stayed in the woods and called her daughter in the morning. Her daughter found her the next day with injuries and swelling and bruising to her forehead."
The court heard a victim impact statement written by the woman who recalled being "fearful" of Saeed "for so long".
She said: "Whenever I tried to leave him in the past I somehow ended up back with him. My behaviour is slowly turning back to how I am. Things have been ingrained in me for so long, I have to unlearn habits. My friends and children comment on how much I say sorry for little things. I even say sorry for saying sorry and feel I have to justify everything I do, if I want to go to the shop or wash up, because he used to question me about everything.
"The relationship with him entirely messed my head up and it's going to take a long while to feel normal again. I feel I don't want to be in a relationship again."
The woman said she is scared to be alone at home or go outside alone and added: "He has been able to say how long the police had been at my house so I know he had a friend or relative watching. At home I'm just waiting for someone to come and damage the house or hurt me."
She said she has removed herself from social media and has been struggling with sleep, even more so if there has ben a trigger such as her gate being open while she is out or a court hearing. The woman said Saeed also took memory boxes she kept for her children and has been made aware he has been selling her possessions."
The court heard Saeed had previous convictions on his record for drug offences. On Monday, he fell to be sentenced for coercive and controlling behaviour and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had been found guilty of the charges at the magistrates' court.
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It was said character references and a pre-sentence report had been prepared for him for the sentencing hearing. Recorder Moxon said that Saeed had made a "number of comments" to the author of the pre-sentence report during his interview for it, and told him: "You believed you could be a spokesman for men, which shows a lack of introspection."
Mitigating, Jemima Stephenson-Finn told the judge: "I have spoken to him about those [comments he made.] He explains to me that he had a lot to speak about with the probation officer and he did to an extent feel rushed. He doesn't stand by the comments in the report regarding his attitude towards the offending.
"He does wish through me to express a very genuine apology to her. He does regret his behaviour in the relationship and does wish to apologise to her."
The court was told Saeed is an active father to his two children and stepson, and Ms Stephenson-Finn said there is a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation." She added: "He is someone, who with the right support, could be rehabilitated. There are a number of character references. These referees are aware of his current offence and they do speak of a very different side to him and have a great deal of positive things to say about him and a positive side to his character...
"He's put his time in custody to good use. He is carrying out an A-level in maths and he is very much enjoying that. Prior to his remand he had a full time job and that employment remains open to him when he is released. I ask you to take into account his mental health difficulties. He is prescribed mirtazapine for anxiety."
Recorder Moxon jailed Saeed for 40 months and made him the subject of a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim, going within 100m of any address he knows or believes she is, or remaining at any premises he knows or believes her to be present. That order is in place until further order.