A Barnham man who violently attacked a young woman as he tried to control and abuse her has been convicted at court.
Callum Walsh, 29, formerly of Warren Road, in Barnham, first met his victim – a woman in her twenties – last December.
Over the next few weeks, Walsh subjected her to paranoid, coercive and threatening behaviour, trying to control where she went and who she saw.
Sussex Police said: “Where he perceived her to have fallen out of his control, he would violently assault her.
“In the early hours of Saturday 14 January, Walsh carried out a final, prolonged assault on his victim, who was able to escape her property and call the emergency services.
“Police attended, put safeguarding measures in place to protect her and urgently sought Walsh’s arrest.
“He was subsequently arrested in Cornwall and charged with non-fatal strangulation, causing actual bodily harm (ABH) and engaging in coercive/controlling behaviour and remanded in custody.”
At Brighton Crown Court on Wednesday 8 November, before Recorder Quincy Whitaker, Walsh pleaded guilty to non-fatal strangulation at the start of his trial.
Charges of assault causing ABH and coercive/controlling behaviour will remain on file.
Walsh is due to be sentenced on Friday 22 December.
Detective Constable Angela De Vivo said: “Victims of violent controlling men like Callum Walsh do not have to suffer in silence.
“His victim in this instance was left terrified but has shown incredible bravery in reporting and supporting the investigation.
“We were able to protect her from any further harm and Walsh has now been brought to justice and remanded in custody where he can cause no harm to other women.”
