Controlling Behaviour Over Gaming
Kai Campbell met the woman on Facebook and they began a relationship in 2022, quickly moving into her home. The relationship started well but soon turned sour. Annelise Haugstad, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "The defendant was an avid gamer and gaming made him unnecessarily angry, particularly when killed in a game."
The woman was persuaded to move from Portsmouth to Ashington and ended up getting pregnant. She said Campbell's behaviour deteriorated, particularly surrounding his gaming, with him complaining about the wifi and blaming her for various things.
Physical and Emotional Abuse
The couple rowed, and when the woman went to leave the room, Campbell picked up some ladders and threw them in her direction, striking her in the head and knocking her to the floor, before preventing her from leaving the house. He made it clear household chores were her responsibility while he was gaming. As her pregnancy developed, she found it increasingly hard to keep on top of jobs. Miss Haugstad said: "The drop in standards and her requests for help were met with anger."
He insulted her, controlled what she wore, and criticised her clothing choices, saying things like "you are not wearing that, that's disgusting." The court heard he also disliked the woman's sister and did not want her to visit. When she did visit after the baby was born, Campbell became angry and "stomped around" throughout the visit, making his partner feel compelled to ask her sister and her partner to leave.
Threats and Insults
Campbell also became angry at the baby crying and called the child horrific names. He blamed his partner for him becoming angry and for the behaviour of the baby. After one incident of him "bullying" her, he left the house and told her: "If I come back now I'm going to kick your head clean off." He later called her an "awful mum" and ugly. The woman eventually got away from him and went to a refuge with the child.
Court Sentence
Campbell, 24, of Fanfare Close, Gosport, who has four previous convictions, pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour between May 2022 and August 2023. He was sentenced to 18 months suspended for two years with 200 hours unpaid and programme requirements.
Recorder Richard Herrmann said Campbell had used "frankly appalling" words to describe the victim while speaking to the probation service. He added that suspending the sentence would mean he could do work to address his "selfish arrogant attitude towards partners and relationships."
Katie Spence, defending, said he accepts full responsibility for his behaviour and is sorry. She added that his mum and new partner are angry with him and said he was 21 at the time and immature.
