A Cardiff teenager has been sentenced for a series of brutal attacks on his girlfriend, which included stabbing her with a kitchen knife and punching her cat to death.
A Spate of Vicious Attacks
Steven Cornish, 19, unleashed the violence while under the influence of drugs, with the first incident occurring in May at their home in Cardiff. The court heard how the victim was awoken by Cornish, who then began a horrific assault on her pet cat. He slammed the animal against the floor and walls, before grabbing it by the tail and punching it repeatedly until it died.
In a further act of control, Cornish then forced his girlfriend to clean up the aftermath and pulled her hair while threatening her to prevent her from calling the police.
Escalating Violence and the Final Straw
The abuse escalated in June when a drug-fuelled and incoherent Cornish began waving an eight-inch kitchen knife around. He then stabbed the victim in the right leg, just above the knee, causing a one-inch laceration. Prosecutor Dan Jones stated this injury appeared to "bring Cornish to his senses", leading him to apologise and help the victim to the bathroom.
Further assaults followed in July. On July 10 and 11, Cornish hit the victim over the head with a TV remote, dragged her across the floor, spat on her, and pulled her hair. Days later, on July 15, he slapped and elbowed her in the face, causing a black eye.
The final incident occurred on July 16, when Cornish, again incoherent, assaulted the victim with a metal mop pole, hitting her on the head and causing multiple injuries.
Sentencing and Aftermath
Police described the victim as "petrified" when they attended the address. Cornish, of May Street, Cathays, later pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, causing grievous bodily harm, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and assault by beating.
Despite having no previous convictions, the court heard he had a caution for battery and shoplifting. In mitigation, his defence cited "developmental issues" from his childhood and his use of cannabis as factors in the offending.
Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Cornish to a total of 15 months detention in a young offenders institute.
