Liz Shanks, 37, from Blantyre in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, had installed CCTV cameras in her home for security and to monitor her pet dog, but the footage captured years of violence at the hands of her partner, Chris Forrest. The recordings, taken between July 2017 and August 2020, led to Forrest being jailed for 27 months in 2022 after he admitted abusing Liz.
Harrowing footage revealed
One video shows Liz and Forrest sitting on the sofa when he stands up, gets on top of her, pins her down, and strangles her. He can be heard screaming, "you are going to die in my f***ing hands you wee cow" as she gasps for breath. Another video, deemed too distressing to publish, shows Forrest pinning Liz to the ground and throttling her in the driveway of her home.
Liz first met Chris through a friend around 2014 when they were both working as lorry drivers. He initially appeared welcoming, polite, and gentle, she said. The pair began a relationship in early 2015, but Liz says controlling behaviour began after she joined the fire service in 2016. She was the only woman on her training course, and Chris tried to persuade her to leave.
Years of abuse and the decision to report
The first physical attack happened in 2017. Following an argument at home, Liz said Chris came downstairs and grabbed her by the throat. The attacks continued intermittently over the following years, but the violence became more severe in 2020. During one attack, Liz said Chris ripped the headboard from the bed and threw it across the room before grabbing her and pinning her against a wall. He then forced banknotes into her mouth while insulting her.
The CCTV cameras had not been installed to monitor Chris. Liz initially bought a camera to monitor her dog, who suffered separation anxiety when she was working. She later installed cameras around her property to protect her older cars from potential burglars. The cameras were visible, and Chris knew they were there and had access to the security app, but Liz believes he never expected her to use the recordings against him.
Justice and campaigning for change
Liz contacted the police in September 2020 and showed officers the recordings. She said the officers were so shocked by what they saw that they had to sit in their car for several minutes before leaving. The footage gave Liz confidence to report the abuse because she feared otherwise it would become a case of her word against his.
Liz, who says Forrest served around 13 and a half months, believes the justice system failed her and has since campaigned for changes to the way domestic abuse cases are handled. She hopes the harrowing footage will alert other women. To make a referral to the NCDV call 0800 970 2070 or text NCDV to 60777.
