A WOMAN who managed to free herself from a year-long nightmare of domestic abuse and violence is urging other women to speak out against their abusers.

"Your silence is his greatest weapon. Break the silence. Get help now," she said as Paul Thackray, the man who beat her up and controlled her, started three years in jail.

Thackray, 25, of Sandcroft Close, Dringhouses, pleaded guilty to three charges of causing actual bodily harm and one of assault. He has previous convictions for violence towards another partner.

For seven months, during the police investigation and court case, his victim had been terrified to leave her family's home because she feared she might encounter Thackray.

But the day after he was jailed, she celebrated by visiting York city centre. "I wandered aimlessly. It was absolutely brilliant," she said.

York Press: York Crown Court - zxc

York Crown Court heard he had targeted her head for some of his assaults, despite her having recently had surgery for a head condition. He also got her to lie to the authorities about how she was injured and tried to cut her off from her family.

"I know how difficult and confusing deciding to leave is," she said. "It is so lonely. You will probably feel trapped, isolated and helpless, but there is so much help and support available. You are not alone. You are not alone.

"You deserve to be treated with respect and live a safe and happy life."

York Press:

She paid tribute to Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) in York, which she described as an "absolutely fantastic charity that I had no idea existed until it was too late". She said it provided safety plans and protection and helped her build a new life without fear including emotional support and courses.

"Without that support I don't know where I would be right now," she said.

She also praised her family's support and Detective Constable Chris Hogg, of York Serious Crime Team, for bringing Thackray to justice.

DC Hogg said: “I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the victim in this case. She showed great courage in coming forward and reporting the abuse that she was being subjected to on a regular basis.

“I hope this case shows that if victims of domestic abuse have the courage and confidence to come to the police we, along with our partners, will support them so they can get justice and move on with their lives.”

For the woman, the moment she found the courage to speak out came when she visited her family and her father told her he knew what was happening. She left Thackray that day.

She said a relationship could change so gradually so that by the time the woman realised what was happening, it was too late.

"He doesn't have to hit you for it to be abuse," she said. "He can manipulate, belittle, humiliate, blame, scream, shout, ridicule, disrespect and try to control you.

"Emotional abuse is just as damaging as physical abuse."

York's top judge warned that Thackray could offend again against another partner.

Thackray had repeatedly hit the woman, particularly on the head, isolated her from her parents, got her to tell lies about how she was injured including inventing a robbery in St Nicholas' Fields, blamed her for his problems, sought to control her in many ways, and reduced her to a state where she had lost four stone, looked unwell and felt worthless.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, told him: "You frankly don't care about the impact of what you do because fundamentally you are a very selfish man.

"You are plainly someone who wishes to control other people but you have absolutely no control over your own temper which is a very bad temper. "Quite why you behave towards those who profess to love in the way you do no-one will really know."

"I regard you as someone at high risk of causing harm to others, particularly to intimate partners you may be associated with in the future."

He said he was particularly concerned of the way Thackray had targeted the woman's head.

Reading her victim impact statement to the court, she said: "I feel stripped of my life" and said Thackray had caused her to run up debts because he never claimed benefits while living with her.

In addition to the jail term, the judge made a restraining order banning him from contacting his former partner in any way for the rest of his life. 

For Thackray, Liam Hassan said he had depression and anxiety and needed help himself. He found it very difficult to trust people because of problems he had with his family.