Man who threw dog food at his girlfriend jailed over abuse

A man who strangled and threw a tin of dog food at his girlfriend ranted in court as he was locked up over the abuse.

Louis Costes claimed "this is all lies" in a furious outburst from the dock as a statement was read out on his victim's behalf, highlighting the impact his actions had on her.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that the 25-year-old, from Selwyn Street in Walton, and Jessica Jones were in a relationship between September 2020 and January this year.

But Holly Menary, prosecuting, said that "things started to go downhill" after about two months.

The couple "began to argue over trivial matters" and Costes would go through her phone, tell her she could not have male friends and make her delete pictures from her social media accounts.

In December 2020, he ran at her during an argument. But Ms Jones ducked out of the way and Costes smashed into a wall, breaking his phone.

He then grabbed her round the throat with both hands, pushed her against the kitchen wall and held her there for around a minute "while he screamed in her face". She had to punch him in the face in order to break free.

Ms Jones moved from Runcorn to Widnes at his request but Costes subsequently "became more abusive".

He would throw objects including the television remote at her and damage her property, once kicking the living room door off its hinges.

In the spring of 2021, Costes hurled a tin of dog food at Ms Jones during an argument - missing and damaging a door frame.

A statement read out on Ms Jones' behalf said: "Before, I was a happy young mother who enjoyed spending time with her child and family.

"At the beginning of the relationship, we were happy and we got along like a house on fire.

"It wasn't long, after a couple of months or so, that it all began to go downhill. I got so stressed and anxious I would throw up."

But Costes interrupted, saying it was all lies and a joke while sat with his arms folded. He then began crying.

Ms Jones statement added that she "feels a massive weight has been lifted off her shoulders since the relationship ended".

Costes has four previous convictions for five offences. These include receiving a nine-month suspended sentence in March 2020 for breaching a non-molestation order.

This came after he told the subject of the order he had a sword and was "going to come and kill her" and he "had nothing to lose".Dafydd Roberts, defending, told the court: "It is clear alcohol was an inhibiting factor in relation to the offending. He no longer drinks any alcohol. His mental health was problematic during the course of this relationship.

"Since then he has improved his mental health significant and he feels in a far more stable position.

"There is a very distinct difference between the Louis Costes who appears before the court today and the one who behaved in the way he did.

"He has been slow to grow up but he is now showing elements that he is growing up and changing his ways."

Costes admitted engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and criminal damage.

He was jailed for 20 months, handed a five-year restraining order and told to pay a victim surcharge.Sentencing, Recorder Mark Ford KC said: "It is apparent to me that your remorse is rather limited and that you have sought throughout this case to minimise the nature of your conduct. You reacted with distain to what she said.

"I have no doubt that, at the time, the victim of your offending was terrified. You are a jealous, impulsive man unable to control yourself - as you demonstrated all too clearly before me."