‘Dangerous’ man guilty of attacking girlfriend
APLASTERER who considered himself a “good boyfriend” assaulted his partner – then refused to let her go to work after seeing the injuries he had left her with.
“Dangerous” Christopher Cooksey met Stephanie Watkiss at the gym and they started dating in September last year.
But he attacked her and then held her prisoner after seeing the extent of the injuries he inflicted, a court heard.
Cooksey, 33, had denied all the charges against him, but was found guilty of four offences by a jury following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge Tom Crowther QC said he considered the defendant to be “very dangerous” and remanded him in custody until he is sentenced.
In his police interview Cooksey said of the relationship: “We got on great. Everything seemed perfect.”
Cooksey was convicted of false imprisonment after the court heard he prevented Ms Watkiss from going to work having seen the injuries he had inflicted upon her following an attack.
When he opened the case prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said: “She only left the flat when she was in his company. She was not allowed to leave his side.”
The defendant was found guilty of two further counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one of assault by beating.
Ms Watkiss alleged the defendant punched and kicked her following her work Christmas party last year and then forced her to take cocaine.
Cooksey was found not guilty of those counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and administering a poison or noxious substance.
He was also cleared of assault by beating relating to an allegation he choked and strangled his girlfriend.
He denied controlling or coercive behaviour, which jurors were directed not to return a verdict on.
It took the jury of six men and six women about two and a half hours to return their verdicts.
Judge Crowther said: “I am satisfied that the pattern of behaviour shows a very dangerous man in which circumstances I withdraw his bail from now on.”
The court heard there were previous “disturbing” complaints, which were not admissible evidence because they were unverified.
Judge Crowther told Harry Baker, for Cooksey, that he would adjourn for a pre-sentence report focusing on dangerousness but indicated the sentence is likely to be determinate rather than extended.
Cooksey, from Gloster’s Parade in Pontypool, is due to be sentenced on his 34th birthday on October 31.
■ If you or someone you know is a victim of violence against women, domestic abuse or sexual violence, call the Live Fear Free Helpline on 0808 8010 800.