A man described as “pathologically jealous” subjected his girlfriend to horrifying abuse, including forcing dog waste into her mouth and strangling her pet, along with threats to kill her. Steven Farrell engaged in a persistent pattern of mistreatment that began after his release from prison in October 2024, as detailed in Preston Crown Court.
Throughout their relationship, Farrell, aged 50, regularly consumed cocaine and quickly moved into the woman’s residence in Rossendale. He controlled her movements, shattered her phone, yet deceitfully responded to her friends’ messages on the confiscated device. The victim endured physical violence, including being gagged by Farrell to stifle her screams.
An incident on April 25 escalated when the woman declined to accompany Farrell on a shopping trip. In a fit of rage upon his return from buying cocaine, he accused her of infidelity, leading to a violent confrontation. He menaced her with death, strangled her dog, and physically assaulted her. Despite being kicked out, he re-entered the house later using a spare key.
A concerned neighbor eventually alerted the authorities after hearing screams, although Farrell coerced her into downplaying the situation as a mere verbal dispute. The gravity of the abuse became evident the next day when Farrell deliberately sabotaged the woman’s morning routine, holding a knife to her throat, and forcing dog feces into her mouth, causing injuries.
Following a friend’s intervention and a subsequent police visit, Farrell was arrested while attempting to escape. He denied the accusations, but later pleaded guilty to charges including coercive behavior, suffocation, and actual bodily harm. The victim, left bruised and traumatized, described enduring lasting emotional scars and suffering from PTSD due to the ordeal.
Recorder Michelle Brown, during sentencing, condemned Farrell’s actions as a deliberate attempt to degrade and terrify the victim, highlighting the prolonged nature of the assaults. Citing the danger he posed, she sentenced him to three years and five months in prison, with an additional year of supervised release for public safety.
