A man has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after admitting to strangling, assaulting, and coercively controlling his girlfriend. Birmingham Crown Court heard how the relationship between Elijah Demarco and his former partner started on a promising note in 2025 but rapidly deteriorated due to his abusive behaviour.
Concerned by changes in Demarco’s conduct, his partner applied for a Clare’s Law disclosure to uncover his criminal history. Upon discovering his past convictions, she attempted to end the relationship. Demarco responded with manipulative messages and verbally abused her.
The court was told Demarco restricted his partner’s contact with friends and family, making it difficult for her to maintain social ties. On one occasion, before attending a funeral, he put his hands around her neck and pushed her onto a bed. In another attack, inside a car, Demarco punched her, grabbed her hair, pushed her repeatedly, and struck her head against the handbrake. He also threw her phone at her face, causing swelling and bruising.
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In a victim impact statement, his former partner described falling in love quickly but soon feeling as if she was “stepping on egg shells.” She said, “I was waiting for him to punch me, and when he finally did, it was a relief. It only took one month for him to hurt me. I never thought I would see the day I’m physically fighting a grown man. He made me feel horrible, ugly, and depressed. No woman should have to feel that way.”
She expressed that reporting the abuse brought mixed feelings, including relief and confusion, and despite his arrest, she continues to rebuild her life. Addressing Demarco, she stated, “I hope this gives you time to reflect on what you have done and the pain you have caused. It was coercion, control and violence. You almost took my future away from me but you didn’t, I survived.”
Demarco’s solicitor acknowledged his client’s flaws and mental health difficulties but praised the victim’s mature response, noting her recovered sense of self-worth. The defence highlighted Demarco’s guilty pleas, which saved the victim from enduring a trial. Nonetheless, Recorder Rebecca Wade emphasised the severity of Demarco’s actions, noting their substantial impact on the victim and his history of offending.
The judge condemned the conduct as intended to maximise fear, distress, and humiliation, praising the victim’s efforts to move on from the abusive relationship.