Dibden man Christian Mercer jailed for three years at Southampton Crown Court after ‘persistent and prolonged’ assault on his girlfriend
A WOMAN desperate to escape her violent boyfriend tried to flag down two cars for help – only for them to drive off before she was bundled into his van.
Christian Mercer (43), of Main Road in Dibden, was branded a bully by judge Keith Cutler when he was jailed for three years at Southampton Crown Court.
Prosecutor Siobhan Lindsay told the court the victim had been in an on-and-off relationship with Mercer since 2018.
After an argument broke out around 11pm on 6th August last year, the victim decided to leave Mercer’s home to avoid the situation escalating, she explained.
The woman, who was on foot, reached Applemore roundabout when she realised Mercer had followed in his work van.
Realising she was without her mobile phone, she flagged down a passing car and asked the occupant to use their mobile phone to call the police.
The motorist said they did not have one and drove off, the court heard.
“The defendant pulled alongside and [the victim] was fearful of him and that she would feel the full force of his rage,” said Ms Lindsay.
She tried to flag down another passing car, but it did not stop.
Her third attempt at seeking help came when she asked a man who had been walking near to the Tesco supermarket to call the police.
A statement from the male said he saw Mercer pull alongside the victim, but as she tried to run away he pursued her on foot.
“He grabbed her, physically picked her up and threw her in the vehicle,” said Ms Lindsay.
While in the van, the victim was shouting at Mercer, to which he responded by punching her in the face, resulting in a swollen lip.
Mercer was driving at speed and she was “too frightened” to attempt to jump out.
Ms Lindsay added: “There was a sense of helplessness, she had already sought aid from at least two people, but no one had come to her assistance.”
The court heard that once back at Mercer’s home, she refused to go inside. Mercer grabbed the victim and carried her in, causing her to bang her head on a doorframe.
He then pinned her to the sofa, pushing forcefully on her chest, which caused bruising.
The attack stopped when Mercer realised she had blood running down her face.
The next day at work, Mercer texted his victim to say he loved her and “wanted to make the relationship work”.
He was arrested later that day at his work address. The court heard this was a result of the last witness who had been approached by the victim calling police, but they had been unable to trace the vehicle sooner as it was displaying a trade registration number plate.
The witness had also attempted to pursue the van after contacting a friend who came and collected him, but they had been unable to keep up.
Mercer, who has 12 previous convictions, including battery and assault, pleaded guilty to one count of ABH.
A victim impact statement, which was read to the court, said there had been domestic abuse “throughout the relationship” and she had attempted to leave on many occasions.
It said: “I genuinely feared for my life [that night] and felt Christian was unable to control his behaviour.”
She had been left suffering from depression, anxiety, night terrors and panic attacks, the court heard.
Defending, Rebecca McKnight said her client, who had been in custody since his arrest, had made “enormous progress” inside.
“He has taken the time to address the issues around his offending,” she said, adding: “He understands he has problems with how he approaches disagreements.”
He was a former crack cocaine and heroin addict, but has been clean for around five years after going to rehab.
“His problem now is with alcohol and he was a heavy drinker at the time of the offence,” she explained.
He was remorseful and “genuinely motivated” not to be before the courts again.
She asked for his sentence to be suspended so he could return to work in order to continue paying his mortgage, she explained.
However, Judge Cutler told him: “You are a tall, strong man and you were behaving in a way you had done before, abusive, violent, – you’re a bit of a bully, I’m afraid.
“It was a persistent and prolonged assault in which the victim suffered a deep cut to her forehead, a swollen and cut lip, bruising and two loose teeth.”
Mercer was also handed a 10-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim or going to her address.
