Lewis Walker, 33, from Widnes, has admitted one count of controlling or coercive behaviour at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, September 7, after originally facing 11 charges including allegations of assaulting his former partner and mistreating her dog. He was warned to expect a prison sentence and was remanded into custody until sentencing on September 28.
Walker was due to stand trial accused of 11 offences linked to the abuse of his former partner, including assault, intentional strangulation, stalking, criminal damage and making threats to kill. He was also accused of causing unnecessary suffering to the woman's dog by attacking it with a hammer during what prosecutors said was a prolonged pattern of controlling and abusive behaviour lasting more than five years.
Guilty plea to controlling behaviour charge
Appearing in the dock dressed in a black Hugo Boss t-shirt with a cross visible around his neck, Walker pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour. The charge stated that, between November 1, 2019 and March 26, 2026, he subjected his then girlfriend to assaults, locked her out of her home, destroyed her belongings and subjected her to threatening behaviour, as well as "mistreating animals", thereby "causing her serious alarm or distress".
Footage viewed by the ECHO captured Walker filming himself shouting at and repeatedly kicking his victim's dog while the animal yelped in agony on the floor. It is understood the dog has since been put down.
Prosecution and defence statements
Oliver Saddington, prosecuting, indicated the guilty plea would be acceptable to the Crown Prosecution Service, with the allegations in the remaining offences to be encompassed "within the factual matrix" of the controlling behaviour count.
Defence barrister Paul Wood told the court: "I say for the record, that plea represents the entirety of the allegations against the defendant. I accept, and the defendant accepts through me, that this is a serious example which is very likely to fall in the top category of the sentencing guidelines. The issue will be length, rather than type of sentence."
Remanded in custody
Walker, who bore a tattoo on the right-hand side of his face, is due to be sentenced on September 28. He was remanded into custody until that date, having flashed a thumbs up to the public gallery as he was escorted to the cells, while his supporters told him "love you Lew", "love you bro" and "love you babe".
Adjourning proceedings, Recorder Nicola Daley told him: "I am going to adjourn sentence. There is no application in relation to you, and so you will be remanded into custody until September 28. All sentencing options will remain open. Your barrister has already indicated to me that you are alive to the likely nature of the sentence. The decision on the next occasion will be what length that sentence ought to be. You will be given appropriate credit for the fact that you have pleaded guilty today."
