A North East man who drove a van into his partner, leaving her with a broken spine and pelvis, has been told he will receive a “substantial prison sentence” for offences committed during an “extremely violent relationship”.
Dominic Phillips, 40, of Grey Terrace, Sunderland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court via video link from HMP Durham on Wednesday to be sentenced for offences against two women. He faced charges including controlling and coercive behaviour, two counts of intentional strangulation, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, putting a person in fear of violence, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Van driven into woman outside salon
The court heard that between 2020 and 2023, Phillips was in an on-off relationship with the first woman, which was described as “extremely oppressive, abusive and violent”. Kate Barnes, prosecuting, said that on June 24 2021, Phillips was driving a transit van with the woman as a passenger.
“He was trying to be affectionate but she was terrified of him. He tried to hit her and she exited the vehicle and ran towards a hair salon. The defendant drove the van into her and she was caught between the van and the wall of the hair salon,” Ms Barnes said.
Phillips then reversed back, causing the woman to fall to the floor. He told her: “This is what happens when you don't do as you're told.” The woman was in “agony” and went to hospital the next day, where it was found she had broken her pelvis and spine. She was so frightened of Phillips that she told doctors a 40kg dog had fallen on top of her and caused the injuries.
Further assaults and lasting trauma
On November 20 2022, Phillips accused the woman of “looking at other men” while in the Promenade pub in Sunderland. He repeatedly punched her in the face, leaving her with a black eye. In another incident a year later, he burst her lip after punching her in the face.
In a victim statement read to the court, the woman said: “I have never experienced pain like having my pelvis and spine broken. He and his friends made derogatory remarks about my injuries.” She said she had to learn how to walk again and suffers from flashbacks and PTSD.
Phillips then entered into another on-off relationship with a woman from Scotland. In July last year, she visited him in Sunderland and they went out for a few drinks, before he demanded she get in his car. Ms Barnes said he drove towards a wall and sped up before suddenly braking, then sped up again towards cliffs, leaving her terrified. Her head was split open when Phillips slammed her head on the dashboard.
Strangulation and knife threat
Phillips had a dog in the vehicle at the time, which fled during the violence. He blamed the woman for losing the dog and repeatedly slapped and screamed at her. Ms Barnes continued: “He used his forearm to push against her throat until she passed out.” As they continued looking for the dog, Phillips attacked again, pressing his knee against her throat as she lay on the ground. The incident lasted two hours, and when he drove them home, he showed her a knife and said “If you try anything”.
The woman fled in the middle of the night when Phillips fell asleep. She had sustained a cut forehead, a black eye and numerous bruises. Days later, Phillips continually tried to contact her by phone. In a victim statement, she said the abuse had a “lasting impact” on her mental health. The court heard Phillips had seven previous convictions for 15 offences, including a previous assault against the first woman.
Nick Lane, defending, said Phillips has been working towards qualifications while on remand and is now the only prisoner in HMP Durham approved to be a “bio-cleaner”. He said a prison staff member described him as “conscientious and respectful” in a statement to the court.
Judge Tom Moran adjourned sentencing until Friday, September 4. He told Phillips: “You are no doubt going to receive a substantial prison sentence with lengthy restraining orders.”
