This is the disturbing footage that captured an 'irrationally jealous' man's violent outburst as he stabbed his former partner's doorbell camera twelve times with a knife. The incident, which occurred in March last year at the victim's father's home in Carlisle, Cumbria, marked a critical escalation in Daniel Lytollis's prolonged campaign of threatening and controlling behaviour.
A Pattern of Controlling Behaviour
Daniel Lytollis, aged 35, had subjected his ex-partner to years of coercive control before the doorbell camera attack became the tipping point that finally prompted her to contact authorities. The victim, who was staying with her father at the time, had ended their relationship, but Lytollis continued his harassment with increasing aggression.
Police investigation revealed that Lytollis's controlling behaviour included following the victim at her workplace and demanding she take photographs of her car's mileage to account for her movements. This systematic monitoring created an atmosphere of fear and restriction that typifies coercive control cases.
The Violent Escalation
The doorbell camera footage shows Lytollis approaching the property before launching his attack on the surveillance device. During the assault, he can be heard swearing into the camera before stabbing the door repeatedly. This wasn't his first visit to the address - he had previously attended twice, bringing a knife on the second occasion specifically to target the camera.
During the same incident, Lytollis also caused damage to the victim's car, which was parked on the driveway. The violent destruction of property represented a physical manifestation of the psychological control he had been exerting for years.
Evidence and Arrest
After the attack, the victim reported Lytollis to police and provided substantial evidence including threatening messages, voicemails, and videos. One particularly concerning video showed Lytollis with a knife visible in his pocket, further demonstrating the threat he posed.
When police arrested Lytollis at his home, they discovered cocaine and an arsenal of weapons including a machete. Officers also found empty alcohol bottles in his car, leading them to suspect drink-driving, though Lytollis refused to provide a breath sample both at the scene and in custody.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Lytollis faced seven charges including engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour, two counts of criminal damage, possession of a class A drug, possession of a bladed article in a public place, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, and failing to provide a specimen for analysis.
On Thursday, Judge Nicholas Barker sentenced Lytollis to two years and ten months imprisonment. The judge acknowledged that Lytollis had shown remorse but emphasised the seriousness of his 'irrationally jealous' and aggressive behaviour, which involved multiple methods of control.
In addition to the prison sentence, Lytollis received a five-year restraining order and was disqualified from driving for 25 months.
Police Response and Support
Detective Constable Karen Minnion from Cumberland CID commented on the case, stating: 'Lytollis subjected the victim to various threats, controlling behaviour and caused damage to the victim's property.'
DC Minnion acknowledged that coming forward can be 'difficult and distressing' for abuse victims but emphasised that police work closely with trusted agencies to provide tailored support. 'This case highlights how behaviours can escalate and we would encourage anyone who has been victim to a domestic offence to contact police,' she said.
'These offences will not be tolerated by Cumbria Constabulary, and we will do everything within our power to hold them accountable for their actions and bring them to justice.'
The case serves as a stark reminder of how domestic abuse can manifest in both psychological control and physical violence, and the importance of technological evidence like doorbell camera footage in securing convictions.
