A Stockport man has been jailed following a campaign of controlling behaviour and abuse against a woman between 2018 and 2024.
Jamie McGrath aged 22 of Lowland Road, Woodsmoor, Stockport has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at Minshull Crown Court for a string of domestic abuse related offences. He was also issued an indefinite restraining order.
In November 2024, a victim bravely came forward against McGrath and disclosed that during arguments he would become aggressive, violent and end up physically hurting her. She recounts separate instances where he punched her in the face and threw her down the stairs, grabbed her fingers and broke them, forced her head into a filled bathtub restricting her breathing, and threw tools at her causing substantial bruising.
McGrath also displayed significant signs of controlling behaviour when he would lock her in their flat with no way out if she wasn’t ready on time or as punishment for going out with friends.
At sentencing, the victim read a statement, where she shared the long-term impact McGrath had on her, describing the struggles she still faces with her mental and physical health, and the pain of having to give up her daughter to protect her from him. She continues to get support to allow her to rebuild and move forward with her life. Part of that statement read:
“I would say I’m happier since I have felt safer without the risk of you appearing, I’m not healed or the perfect stable person, but I am happier.
“I still panic, I still cry, and I still think about all the physical and mental pain you inflicted on me every day. I still check my phone, I still expect you to walk in the house or worry if you’re following me or know what I’m doing, but I’m getting better with the right support from family and friends and professionals.
“With this support I’m learning how much you broke me down and I’m slowly building myself back up.
“All I can hope is that, with justice and speaking out, I’ve saved another person from being abused at the hands of you.”
