James Murray, 34, formerly of Prescot, has been jailed for three years and nine months after pushing his girlfriend out of a first-floor window, following a campaign of abuse spanning seven years.
Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday that Murray had been in a relationship with Chloe Gee for around eight years, beginning when she was 16 and in care, while he was 26. The court was told that Murray's behaviour towards his partner changed after she turned 18, when he slapped her several times after she became drunk on vodka he had provided.
Control and coercion
Prosecutor Bernice Campbell described how Murray did not want Ms Gee to work in case she met someone else, leaving her financially dependent on him. She was often not allowed to leave their flat, sometimes left with no food, and he placed a tracker on her phone, accusing her of being with other men if she left.
Ms Gee was also prevented from seeking medical attention when she fell ill with gastritis, an episode that ended with her being admitted to hospital. Murray monitored her phone usage and banned her from social media. He repeatedly smashed mobiles bought by her family, dictated what she could wear, and made derogatory comments about her appearance, including telling her she 'looked like a smackhead because she was so slim'.
Murray was seen shaking his head as the court heard he would slash or pour bleach on items of Ms Gee's clothing. He also spat on her and in her food.
The assault
On February 26 this year, police received a 999 call from Ms Gee's father, reporting she had been assaulted and was bleeding from a head injury. Officers were told that Murray had blocked her from exiting when she threatened to leave. She went upstairs to avoid conflict, but he later ordered her to clean up after their dog, becoming increasingly aggressive when she refused.
Murray ordered another man to leave, telling him he 'needed to deal with' Ms Gee, before threatening to kill her. He followed her to an upstairs bedroom, cornered her, and said: 'You wanna go out of the window? I'll throw you out of the window.' He then grabbed her by the neck and pushed her with 'full force' out of the window using two hands. She landed on a flat roof below before falling to the ground, fleeing after he warned he was 'going to come and get her'.
Ms Gee sustained damage to the tendons in one arm and a head wound that required three staples. Murray has eight previous convictions for 11 offences, including one against the same victim and an appearance in October 2025 for assaulting a police officer.
Defence and sentencing
Julian Nutter, defending, said Murray had used his time in custody to clear his head, against a background of mental health issues, and had secured a trusted role as a prison cleaner. He had an offer of employment in a friend's landscaping business and intended to make a clean break, despite owning the house. Nutter added: 'He apologises to the court and this lady for what he has done and has expressed remorse.'
Murray admitted unlawful wounding, controlling and coercive behaviour, and possession of cannabis. Sentencing, Judge Dennis Watson KC described the relationship as 'controlling from the very outset', noting Murray was 26 and Ms Gee was 16 and in care. He said: 'This was gaslighting at its very worst. This was a prolonged period of controlling and coercive behaviour, something in the order of seven years.'
During sentencing, Murray interrupted the judge, saying: 'I just wanted to add. She had a full time job, 46 hours a week, at the time. To be honest, she was 17 at the time I got with her. She said she was 18. I've loved her since day one. I'm sorry for what I've done. I've got a family with her.' The judge briefly adjourned to allow Murray to speak with his barrister, after which Nutter said Murray still loved her but had resolved to move out and stay away from her.
Judge Watson continued: 'Your expression of remorse, whether genuine or not, is at least welcome.' Murray was handed a total of three years and nine months behind bars.
