Stephen Rooney, 36, of Wynnstay Avenue in Lydiate, has been sentenced to six years in prison with an additional year on extended licence for battering three ex-girlfriends. His most recent victim endured a violent holiday in Turkey where he stripped her naked and pushed her out of their hotel room.
Turkey holiday violence
Rooney persuaded his then-partner to go on a pre-booked holiday to Turkey using emotional blackmail, after he had already left her with burns from nitrous oxide and threatened another man with a broken vodka bottle. Once abroad, he took her phone and locked it in a safe, then after a drink and drugs binge, stripped her and forced her out of the room, leaving her to seek help from strangers. He later slapped and punched her, pinned her against a wall until she lost consciousness, and on another occasion 'fish hooked' her mouth, causing a cut.
Previous history of abuse
The trial at Liverpool Crown Court heard that Rooney became possessive and physically violent within months of starting the relationship in May 2025. Earlier incidents included spraying nitrous oxide in her face, strangling her, throwing her clothes from a balcony, smashing her phone, and attempting to stab a man with a broken vodka bottle.
Rooney has 16 previous convictions for 40 offences, including an assault in Spain in 2015 and a suspended sentence for battery against another ex-girlfriend in 2016. Between 2017 and 2018, he committed six offences including controlling and coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and perverting the course of justice against a second ex-girlfriend, for which he received 42 months in prison.
Sentence and judge's remarks
Rooney was found guilty of three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, making threats with an offensive weapon, and criminal damage. Sentencing, Judge Gary Woodhall said he harboured 'real concerns that your apparent admissions are genuine' and noted a 'clear pattern of violent behaviour against partners'. He imposed a six-year prison sentence, an additional year on extended licence, and a 12-year restraining order.
The victim said in a statement: 'The abuse I've experienced has deeply affected every part of my life.' Rooney appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, with his head bowed.
