Controlling boyfriend bit, knifed and held prisoner 15-year-old partner for five hours

A JEALOUS boyfriend kept his 15-year-old partner prisoner for five hours while he repeatedly attacked her.

Joshua Burns, 19, hit, bit and knifed Raemarie Thornton, who later crawled out from behind a fridge when her mum and sister forced their way into the flat.

The victim was left "wondering what was going to happen to her next and whether she would ever get out", Grimsby Crown Court heard.

It was said that Burns, of Bodiam Way, Grimsby, was a controlling boyfriend who previously spat at and poured a drink over the girl.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Prosecuting, Craig Lowe said Burns had been in a relationship with Miss Thornton since she was 14. She was 15 at the time of the attack on June 12, 2014, and turned 16 nine days later.

Mr Lowe said the victim had gone to Burns' flat and was greeted with accusations of "seeing another boy".

He told how Burns had been seen by the victim to lock the door behind her as she came in, and throw the keys.

He said Burns slapped his girlfriend, causing a nose bleed, before slapping her again across her nose, and "jabbing" her in the head.

Burns then "smacked" her across the face with a small cordial bottle.

The prosecutor said Burns punched his victim and "pulled her around the flat by her hair", adding: "She made reference of going to the bathroom and on one occasion the defendant dragged her back."

He said the attack went on for some five hours.

A Mr Denford arrived, and Miss Thornton was told to hide her face from him. She was later bitten four times.

Mr Lowe said: "The defendant went on to make threats including that he was going to stab her mother."

He told how he had brandished a kitchen knife which he pushed into the victim's right knee, thankfully causing only minor injury.

He said: "She said she was pleading with the defendant to stop and leave her alone."

Later her mum and sister arrived and forced their way in, with Miss Thornton emerging from behind a fridge where she was hidden.

Burns had told her: "If you think about shouting for your mother I will stab you and I will stab your mother," but she called out because she "had nothing to lose".

Burns, who was later arrested, tried to blame Mr Denford for the injuries.

Miss Thornton told police she felt "betrayed" by Burns while the defendant initially denied causing the injuries.

He later pleaded guilty and a restraining order was put in place to ensure there was no contact between the two parties, both of whom now attend Grimsby Institute.

Defending, Jayne Bryan said of Burns: "He's found it very difficult to come to terms with the fact that he behaved as he did on that day. He is genuinely remorseful to the point where he took an overdose, he was so racked with guilt."

Burns had previous convictions including for street violence, the court heard.

Mrs Bryan told how Burns had endured domestic violence from a young age but had began to turn things round, and was studying a part-time patisserie course.

She added: "He has the motivation to change."

Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker said the victim "must have been terrified" by the ordeal, telling Burns: "It's plain that you were jealous and aggressive towards her over a period of time. This is not to be regarded as an isolated incident."

Burns was jailed for 14 months and a restraining order for five years was put in place.

No reporting restrictions were imposed by the court to prevent the victim being identified.

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