Newcastle victim shares footage of terrifying attacks to show 'the reality of domestic abuse'

Gemma Laidler from Newcastle who was a victim of Ryan Grundy
-Credit:Newcastle Chronicle


Caught on camera behind closed doors, this is the devastating reality of domestic abuse. It's a crime so often talked about, but by its nature rarely seen.

Now brave victim Gemma Laidler has revealed the reality of violence in the home by sharing harrowing footage of the attacks she suffered at the hands of bullying partner Ryan Grundy. The Chronicle reported last week how the 39-year-old had been left a shadow of her former self after getting together with manipulative Grundy. He went on to subject her to a series of attacks in the home they shared.

Gemma was hit, headbutted and thrown across the living room by Grundy. In one terrifying incident Grundy put his hands around Gemma's neck and strangled her on a bed.

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All the attacks were caught on home CCTV, which Gemma had installed so she could keep an eye on her dogs when she was out. And today, after Grundy was jailed for the abuse, the brave victim has shared the footage, which some might find distressing, in a bid to show others the true impact of domestic abuse.

Gemma said: "So many people say 'it's just a slap', but there is no 'just' about it. When you see it with your own eyes it's different. This is the reality of domestic violence. People going through that will watch it and think, 'actually that's what I'm living like'.

Warning: The footage below may cause distress

Gemma, who lives in Newcastle's West End, met Grundy through a mutual friend in 2021. The pair hit it off immediately and began dating. Grundy was open about his past problems with drugs and his mental health, and said he had become addicted to cocaine after his daughter was stillborn. Gemma, who had worked as a carer, wanted to help him.

Gemma and Grundy agreed they would move in with one another so that she could support him. But Grundy changed soon after moving in with his new partner. Gemma said he would use his addiction to control her by threatening to buy drugs if she left him alone. She ended up going on the sick from work to look after him.

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And around a year into the relationship, Grundy became physically violent. Newcastle Crown Court heard how on August 10 2022, Grundy, 35, of Shields Road, Byker, Newcastle, slapped her once in the face, during an argument. Gemma did not report the attacks to police. On October 4 2022, he attacked her again, throwing her to the floor.

Then on July 25, 2023, Grundy headbutted Gemma and hit her. She tried to escape from him as he followed her around the house trying to stop her calling the police. She messaged a neighbour to call the police and Grundy then put a knife to his own neck, which she tried to remove. Grundy was then arrested.

Ryan Grundy, who admitted domestic violence offences
Ryan Grundy, who admitted domestic violence offences -Credit:Northumbria Police

Gemma said even hardened police officers were shocked when they saw the footage of her being thrown across the room. "I'll never forget the police officer's face," she said. "Police officers see all sorts, but I saw the colour drain out of his face when he saw the video. Until then I had been living in this little bubble."

The court heard that between November 2023 and December 30 2023, he then harassed Gemma by sending repeated pleading emails, including over the Christmas period, despite her telling him to stop.

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Grundy pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, harassment and two common assaults. In November he was sentenced to 14 months in prison but was told he would be released as he had already served his time on remand. However, just weeks later Gemma was told Grundy had been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence.

Gemma is now urging other people trapped in abusive relationships to seek help from support services. She was supported by PROPS- family recovery service, NIDAS (Newcastle Integrated Domestic Abuse Service), and Newcastle Women's Aid.