A violent offender who subjected his partner to hours of torture including holding her head under sewage water and defecating on her face whilst she lay unconscious has been imprisoned for more than 15 years.
Liam Dawson, 34, received a 15-year and three-month sentence with an additional four-year extended licence period after admitting grievous bodily harm with intent at Stafford Crown Court, where he was observed vaping and laughing during his victim’s emotional testimony delivered via video link from HMP Dovegate.
The mother-of-three described the attack as “inhumane” and credited a stranger who heard her screams with saving her life, stating: “What I went through that night I wouldn’t wish on anyone. My physical injuries are minor compared to my mental health. I have nightmares on a nightly basis.”
Detective Constable Lauren Ashby paid tribute to the victim’s “tremendous strength and dignity throughout the investigation and court case, something which Dawson tried his upmost to strip her of,” whilst thanking members of the public whose intervention prevented a potentially fatal outcome.
The horrific ordeal began when Dawson drove erratically following heavy drinking during an evening meal whilst the couple stayed at a Holiday Inn. Prosecutor Robert Holt told the court Dawson operated the vehicle dangerously, driving on the wrong side of cones and attempting to crash deliberately with his partner inside.
After accusing the woman of infidelity and crashing into a metal fence near a park, Dawson dragged her from the vehicle by her hair and struck her head 15 to 20 times. He then slammed the car door on her face before throwing her mobile phone into a brook.
“He said he was going to kill her and that this was the end,” Mr Holt stated, describing how Dawson forcefully held his victim’s head beneath sewage water as she believed death was imminent.
The woman lost consciousness during the sustained assault. When she regained awareness, Dawson was defecating on her face.
Neighbours who heard the terrified victim’s screams contacted police, ending the torture that had continued over several hours.
In her victim impact statement, the woman revealed: “The only reason I am here today is because a stranger heard my screams. That stranger saved my life. It breaks my heart that my daughter had to see me like that in hospital. I was humiliated in an inhumane way. I was defecated on.”
The court heard Dawson possesses 16 previous convictions and had previously violated a suspended prison sentence. Alongside his custodial term, he received an indefinite restraining order prohibiting any contact with his victim.
DC Ashby stated: “We will not tolerate violence against women and girls and we hope this sentencing gives more victims of domestic abuse the confidence to come forward. You will be listened to and supported as we seek justice for you.”
