Bully Birmingham Boyfriend Used Partner as 'Punch Bag' During Eight Years of Abuse

Craig Frewin, a 33-year-old gas engineer from Castle Vale, Birmingham, has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for an extensive, eight-year pattern of abuse against his partner. Throughout their turbulent relationship, Frewin subjected the victim to a relentless cycle of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.

The court heard that Frewin repeatedly assaulted his partner, including throwing a paving slab at her and punching her in the face. In one particularly harrowing incident, he spat in her face and threatened to strangle her if she fell asleep during his cocaine-fuelled rage. He also inflicted damage on her home by vandalising walls and ceilings with knives and a hammer.

Frewin exercised controlling behaviour by taking her bank cards and spending her money, leaving her financially dependent and forced to ask her mother for essentials like food. He isolated her from friends and family, bombarded her with up to 50 calls a day, and showed up uninvited at her home. When she tried to leave, he threatened to kill her and even dropped a lit cigarette on her head.

Despite his actions, Frewin’s defence highlighted a troubled upbringing marked by exposure to domestic violence and substance abuse within his family. His lawyer acknowledged his drug issues at the time, describing how his cocaine and cannabis addiction spiralled out of control.

Judge Sarah Buckingham condemned Frewin’s conduct, describing him as deeply insecure and noting his repetitive pattern of abuse as a distorted reflection of the violence he witnessed in his own childhood. She emphasised that many people overcome such backgrounds without resorting to abuse.

The victim, visibly impacted, stated the abuse had “completely destroyed” her, leaving emotional scars and a constant sense of fear. Her courage in coming forward has brought an end to years of torment.

Bully Birmingham Boyfriend Used Partner as ‘Punch Bag’ During Eight Years of Abuse