Man tormented partner
A FINANCIAL adviser whose partner thought he was “Prince Charming” subjected her to a campaign of controlling and violent behaviour.
When the woman met Lewis Chambers, she believed he was her “knight in shining armour”. However, a court heard he attacked her, rammed her off the road, sought to control where she went and who she spoke to and left her confidence shattered.
As the 32-year-old was spared prison for controlling and coercive behaviour and other offences, his victim revealed her trauma. She said in a statement read to the court: “If I’m honest I thought Lewis was my Prince Charming and my knight in shining armour.”
The woman said she was aware he had financial and business issues and he had started to drink heavily. She said she used to work for his business but has now had to set her own up. Matthew Collins, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court about a series of incidents. The court heard in May last year, Chambers threw a glass bottle at her and smashed a laptop screen by punching it then banging it on the floor. By June last year, she was pregnant when she said he kicked her. He pleaded guilty on the basis he did not kick her to the stomach, as prosecutors had initially alleged, but to her ankle. Mr Collins said: “After that he was also chasing her with a hammer, smashing her car mirrors as she drove away. Children were present in the car at the time.”
She separated from him but was plagued by phone calls and texts begging her to return. She was persuaded to do so but he soon returned to his coercive behaviour.
In July this year he had been drinking heavily. He was screaming and picked up a kitchen knife and cut his wrists while threatening to cut his throat, the court heard.
A neighbour called police and when they arrived, Chambers threw an object at his partner. Having consumed three bottles of wine, he fled in a car, before stopping nearby.
He was found in possession of a knife when police arrested him. Chambers, of Shirlaw Close, Westerhope, pleaded guilty to coercive or controlling behaviour, assault, drink driving and having a bladed article.
Judge Robert Spragg sentenced him to two years suspended for two years with a 12-month curfew between 8pm and 6am.
He was also given an indefinite restraining order and was banned from driving for two years.