A Birmingham man subjected his girlfriend to multiple violent assaults during their brief relationship, ultimately blaming her for provoking his actions, a court has heard.
Muhammed Umar, 26, initially appeared “caring and loving” when he met his partner through a dating app. However, the relationship, which lasted approximately four months, quickly became marked by repeated incidents of physical abuse.
During one terrifying episode in a car, Umar strangled the woman, pushed her against the driver’s side window and pressed his thumb into her neck for around 20 seconds. After releasing her, he reportedly sneered, “Look what you made me do.”
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On another occasion, Umar punched her in the face, causing significant injuries. She suffered a fractured nose that was left crooked and was warned by medical professionals she was fortunate not to have suffered a brain bleed or lost her eyesight.
The court was told that Umar assaulted her on at least three occasions. In one incident, he slapped her head, pushed her to the floor, and kicked her repeatedly while she was down, threatening to damage her phone. Following the attacks, he sent messages claiming she had provoked him and that his violent actions were justified.
Despite the abuse, the victim and Umar remained in contact. On New Year’s Day, they met again, and he punched her multiple times in the face, causing bleeding from her eye and nose. While she was hospitalised, he messaged her asking, “How is your eye? You provoked me, I didn’t hit you for no reason.”
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman described enduring physical, emotional and mental abuse. She said Umar’s behaviour was controlling and degrading, leaving her feeling vulnerable and unsafe. She admitted she did not initially understand the severity of her situation.
Umar waited until the day of his trial to plead guilty to intentional strangulation and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison, suspended for three years, and ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity days alongside a five-year restraining order.
During sentencing, Judge Strongman highlighted Umar’s lack of remorse, pointing to his dismissive comments to the victim after the assaults. Although this was a serious case of abuse, the judge decided to suspend the sentence, stating it was “by the skin of his teeth” that this was appropriate.
Umar, who has a previous minor conviction from 2022, expressed regret for the suffering he caused and noted challenges following a serious collision that affected his mobility. His defence barrister emphasised this was out of character, noting no pattern of offending prior to these incidents.
The case underscores the dangers victims can face in abusive relationships and highlights the importance of recognising and addressing such behaviour promptly.