A former soldier who subjected his pregnant partner to “horrific” violence has been jailed for nearly five years.
Glen Hutchinson, 29, brutalised the woman at her York home, leaving her “scared every day”.
Even after he was arrested for the violence, he broke his bail conditions by urging her to drop the charges, York Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Jade Bucklow said the former couple had been in a relationship for years and it started well, albeit the victim said there were “red flags” even then.
After Hutchinson found a pair of jogging bottoms that he “didn’t recognise” and wrongly accused the victim of cheating on him, he punched and throttled her.
“He was grinning at her as if he was enjoying what was happening,” said Ms Bucklow.
“She thought she was going to die.”
On another occasion he broke her finger. And when he flew into a rage because he couldn’t find his passport, Hutchinson punched her “like he was in a boxing match” .
The victim was eight-months’ pregnant at the time and was “trying to turn her back to avoid being hit in the stomach”.
“She said the most chilling aspect was how calm he was as he methodically assaulted her,” added Ms Bucklow.
Another attack left her with a cut to her head which needed glueing in hospital.
Hutchinson was finally arrested and charged with intentional strangulation and four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
He was released on court bail in July on the proviso that he didn’t contact the victim, but immediately messaged her on Snapchat, asking to meet her.
She told him to leave her alone, but he took no heed, asking her to drop the charges and telling her that “what she was doing was a disgrace”.
‘Harrowing’ statement
Hutchinson – lately of Yarm Road, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees – was arrested again and further charged with perverting the course of justice. He ultimately admitted both this offence and all the allegations of violence including strangulation.
The victim said she was physically and mentally abused over two-and-a-half-years, describing that time as “the worst of my life”.
She said Hutchinson was “obsessed” with her and that she was “scared every day”. After the final assault she had to “leave my home where I raised my children”.
She was “terrified” of Hutchinson who had “destroyed me, yet still there is no remorse”.
She said her suffering would be “hard for anyone to comprehend”, adding: “A police officer said she had never seen such injuries as mine.”
“The memories in that house will haunt me for a long time,” she added.
Defence barrister Natalie Dean said that Hutchinson, a father-of-three, had never been in trouble before and had served in the army for several years which had left him with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Judge Simon Hickey described the attacks as “shocking, horrific assaults on this vulnerable young lady” whose “harrowing” victim statement laid bare the severe trauma she had suffered.
He said Hutchinson’s behaviour was “quite calculated” and the victim “really believed you were going to kill her”.
“The shocking element is that this lady (at the time) was virtually full-term pregnant,” he added.
“How anyone can assault a woman in that condition is beyond the court’s imagination”.
Jailing Hutchinson for four years and nine months yesterday, the judge said the violence was so shocking that it was “probably a merciful sentence”.
No remorse
North Yorkshire Police investigating officer Detective Constable Gemma Illidge said: “The defendant showed no remorse for his behaviour against the victim throughout the entire police process. He breached his bail continuously which left the courts no option but to remand him.
“The victim was heavily pregnant during some of these horrific assaults that left her with extensive bruising. She was exceptionally brave to come forward to speak to police and support a prosecution. I know how hard it has been and I thank her for her courage and resilience during all of this.
“I hope today’s outcome gives her some reassurance and helps her to put the ordeal she suffered at Hutchinson’s hands behind her.”