Brutal bully who humiliated and hurt partner jailed for three years

Howard Johnson treated his partner like a punch bag during their 27-year relationship, a judge heard.

The 52-year-old verbally humiliated her in public and physically attacked her in private, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

The couple did not always live together but she was constantly under his control.

He would lock her out of the house in her underwear, said Mr Peter McCartney, prosecuting.

The psychological impact of a serious motorcycle accident in August 2017 and the death of his mother may have contributed to Johnson becoming increasingly violent, said Mr John Evans, defending.

She tried to leave him last December but he followed her and made her return only to throw her out of the house the following month, it was said.

She had a beating at his hands in March during which he delivered running kicks, banged her head on the floor and throttled her.

He followed her to hospital where security staff ejected him because of his behaviour.

She finally ran away in April and recalled: “His last words to me were ‘get back to the hotel and I will kill you.’”

She said in a statement: “He controlled me for years but the last ten months were the worst. I worshipped the ground he walked on but he broke my heart and my body.

“He can be so loving, the life and soul of the party but he also has the dark side of an out of control man. It is best if we stay away from each other. The mix is toxic.”

Johnson, from Webster Road, Walsall, who has previous convictions for drugs and violence, was arrested in June.

He pleaded guilty on the day of trial to displaying controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was jailed by Judge Dean Kershaw who told him: “Your persistent behaviour was intended to create maximum fear in her.

“You humiliated and degraded her through jealousy, insecurity or both, causing very serious harm. This is one of the worst cases of controlling behaviour I have had to deal with.”

An officer from the force’s public protection unit said: “Johnson’s behaviour and actions were deplorable. He is a dangerous man who bullied his long-term partner during the course of their relationship. His actions were controlling, cruel, violent and belittling.

“I wish to thank the victim’s concerned neighbours for having the courage to report various incidents to us. Their calls were critical to our investigation.

“We know victims often do not wish to report matters to us directly. However we were able to act upon this information and give help to protect a vulnerable woman.”