Controlling vegan banned girlfriend from eating meat and hit her with vinegar bottle

Christopher Ellam hit her with a vinegar bottle and became angry if she looked at men on TV.

A violent vegan controlled his partner to the extent he punished her if she came home from work smelling of meat.

Christopher Ellam, 22, dictated what his girlfriend could watch and became angry if he thought she was looking at men on TV.

He called her a ‘fat disgusting bitch’ and used a vinegar bottle to hit her in an incident which led to him being prosecuted.

His victim told how she was terrified of him and said his violent and controlling behaviour had ruined her life.

Lisa Evans, prosecuting, told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court today that the couple were in a relationship for four years.

She said: ‘He was verbally aggressive, calling her stupid on a regular basis.

‘He called her a ‘fat disgusting bitch’ and an ‘ugly c**t’.

‘He’s a strict vegan and didn’t allow her to consume animal products.

‘She helped her stepfather in a cafe and was subjected to abuse if she returned home smelling of meat.’.

Ellam pleaded guilty to assault by beating, two counts of criminal damage and sending sending indecent or grossly offensive messages for the purpose of causing anxiety or distress.

During one of the incidents, he smashed a TV belonging to the victim at a property in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield.

Ellam, of Quarry Road in Crosland Moor, also attacked her on April 4 with a vinegar bottle, causing bruising.

Ms Evans said: ‘She tried to cover her face with a pillow to protect herself but it didn’t protect her.’

He also cut up her clothes and sent abusive messages on Facebook, as well as going to where she worked at a car dealership and causing problems.

Ms Evans said: ‘He denied controlling behaviour but admitted being angry at unknown men on the TV due to low confidence in himself.

‘He said he didn’t stop her eating red meat but it’s a house rule that no meat is eaten within the flat.’

Deputy District Judge described his behaviour as ‘disgusting’ after hearing that if she screamed he would only become more violent towards her.

Mohammed Arif, mitigating, said that his client had suffered mental health issues after being bullied at school.

He said of the couple: ‘He wishes to apologise to the complainant. He wants to move on from the relationship and doesn’t want to instigate any kind of reconciliation.’

Magistrates sentenced Ellam to a community order including the 33 day Building Better Relationships programme.

He must complete up to 10 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

Ellam was ordered to pay the victim £500 compensation as well as £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Magistrates made a two year restraining order banning him from contacting his ex or going to her home.