Violent and controlling thug jailed for kicking woman 'like a football'

A violent and controlling man who kicked a woman 'as if she was a football' has been jailed. Lee Carran, of Woodlane in Falmouth, was sentenced at Plymouth Crown Court after the victim moved to Liverpool to escape his violent and abusive behaviour.

The victim told police officers Carran, 32, has assaulted her on multiple occasions, including strangling her to the point of blacking-out. He was also accused of controlling her life, including her phone and money, and prevented her from seeing family members.

The hearing was told how Carran and the victim had been out drinking in Plymouth City Centre on January 16, 2023. After being asked to leave Union Rooms, Carran was captured by Plymouth City Council CCTV outside raising his hand to the victim’s head and grabbing or punching her before they disappear from view.

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Carran is then seen on another camera nearby striking the woman to the head and throwing her to the ground. He continues the assault by grabbing her by the throat and pulling her around the floor. An independent witness described Carran kicking the victim three times as if she was a football.

Devon and Cornwall Police arrived at the scene and arrested Carran, who was later released on bail. Following his release, his victim moved to Liverpool in an attempt to distance herself from him, but Carran later moved to the city himself, prompting the woman to contact Merseyside Police as she felt she could not escape him.

She disclosed a history of domestic violence to Merseyside officers, including numerous assaults and incidents in which Carran strangled her. One particular attack caused her to black out and left bruising on her neck. She also described how Carran controlled every aspect of her life, taking control of her phone and money and prevented her from seeing her family.

Carran returned to Cornwall and continued to try and contact the victim and the case was passed to Devon and Cornwall Police. He pleaded guilty to controlling/coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and non-fatal strangulation and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. A restraining order was also granted to protect the woman invovled.

Moonstone Domestic Abuse Investigator PC Jack Chapman said: “The bravery of the victim is what has brought this case to our attention and the suspect to justice. She should be immensely proud of her strength and courage to stand up to Carran. This was a particularly challenging and complex domestic violence case and is testament to the work Plymouth Moonstone does on a daily basis.

“Regardless of a person’s situation or circumstances, all domestic violence victims will be given our full support and crimes will be investigated thoroughly to the full extent of the law.”

Victim care

If you have been affected by crime, please visit https://orlo.uk/cOqV8 to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.