John Gizzi, 55, known as Rhyl's 'Mr Big', was jailed at Mold Crown Court on Thursday for four years for using coercive and controlling behaviour against his former partner Natasha Farah, plus 11 months for the intentional strangulation of her sister Samantha. The sentences were greeted with cries of "beast" and "rot in hell" from the public gallery.
Gizzi told Natasha to "die and do us all a favour", rammed her car, and threatened her with a dumbbell. He also pushed her into a hotel swimming pool and tossed her clothes onto a roof when he found her at a train station. Natasha was later found hanged by Gizzi in April this year; she suffered brain damage and now needs round-the-clock hospital care.
Abuse campaign detailed in court
Elen Owen, prosecuting, said Gizzi and Natasha Farah began a relationship in 2024. She outlined a string of incidents of physical and verbal abuse. Ms Owen said Natasha was found by Gizzi hanging by a rope on April 7, and Gizzi told police he cut her down. There is no evidence Gizzi is directly responsible for the injuries, but the police investigation led to his convictions.
In one incident at Colwyn Bay Football Club, Gizzi turned up in a Land Rover Discovery, tore off a rear view mirror of the Mercedes Natasha was driving, and punched her while she was still inside the car. A friend, Katie Crompton, saw a red mark on her face and a bruise where her seatbelt had been. Gizzi later offered to pay for Katie's treatment, possibly to control her or stop her reporting the incident, Ms Owen said.
Natasha met Katie at a Wetherspoon's pub in Colwyn Bay on March 25, where she described threats and abuse. She said Gizzi held a dumbbell over her head and said if he "dropped it she would be dead". He had also thrown a dumbbell at her and a man called Luke Francis at a gym. Natasha told Katie that Gizzi assaulted her on Valentine's Day in 2026, leaving a lump on her head, and again on Mother's Day, and she worried the repeated blows were affecting her memory. The women discussed going to Women's Aid, Ms Owen added.
Threats and sentencing
Footage played in court showed Gizzi threatening Natasha: "I'm going to absolutely end you. You stupid b****." On April 7, 2026, police seized Gizzi's phone; he initially refused to disclose the PIN until after a deadline. When unlocked, messages showed he told her: "Die and do us all a favour." Natasha called him "beyond cruel".
Duncan Bould, defending, said his client "has expressed regret and accepted responsibility for his violent behaviour and the harm he caused in the relationship". He added: "He's a father and has an excellent work history mostly in the construction industry. He has a longstanding association with sport, particularly jujitsu. He does not drink alcohol or take drugs."
Judge Simon Mills said Gizzi has a "troubling history" and called the main offence "one of the worst cases of coercive control that can be contemplated". He also gave Gizzi a four-month concurrent term for failing to disclose a mobile phone PIN, and made him subject to a restraining order and a domestic abuse protection order, both for 15 years.
Detective Constable Rebecca Donaghy, of North Wales Police, said: "The guilty pleas entered by John Gizzi in this case reflect the serious nature of his offending, and the sustained controlling and coercive behaviour he subjected his victim to over an extended period. This pattern of behaviour had a profound and lasting effect on her freedom, independence, confidence, and sense of safety." She added: "Violence against women and girls, including domestic abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour, remains an absolute priority for North Wales Police."
