I stuck by my abusive boyfriend after finding out about his past – but he choked and beat me for THREE hours when I dumped him
WHEN Denise Byrnes discovered her boyfriend had a violent past, she was willing to give him a second chance.
But the 34-year-old single mum, from Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales, went onto regret this decision – when Morgan Ralph subjected her to a brutal beating.
Vicious Ralph strangled and beat Denise for hours, leaving her terrified she was going to die.
Speaking exclusively to Fabulous Digital, Denise tells her story…
When I met Morgan Ralph, 34, through mutual friends in October, I fancied him immediately.
From the day we met, he was full of compliments and I felt flattered.
He added me as a friend on Facebook and eventually asked me on a date.
I was bowled over by how charming and polite he was.
But not everyone was so impressed. One of my friends took me aside and said: “Don’t get involved with him, Denise.”
Another warned: “He’s bad news.”
But I didn’t listen. I waved them away and said: “I’ll figure that out for myself, thanks.”
Then I received a message from Morgan’s ex, which made me take more notice. She told me Morgan had hit her.
I’d heard about Clare’s Law, which gave people the right to ask the police about a partner’s abusive or violent past. So I decided to put it to use.
The result of my enquiry confirmed it. Morgan had a history of domestic violence.
My heart sank. I knew I couldn’t ignore it, but I’d always believed in second chances, so I decided to speak to him and see what he had to say.
The result of my enquiry confirmed it. Morgan had a history of domestic violence. My heart sank
Denise Byrnes
When I confronted him, Morgan seemed surprisingly relaxed.
“I knew this would happen,” he sighed. “I don’t deny any of it. But I’m not that person any more. I’ve not been in trouble for three years.”
I wanted to believe him, but I felt wary.
“If you ever hurt me, that will be it,” I said. “No second chances.”
“I won’t hurt you,” he replied. “I promise.”
So I gave him the benefit of the doubt. It’s a decision I would live to regret.
HOW CAN I CHECK IF MY PARTNER HAS A VIOLENT PAST?
Clare’s Law, also known as the Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme, allows people to find out if their partner has an abusive or violent past.
It was introduced in 2014 and is named after Clare Wood, who was killed by her ex in 2009.
She did not know he had a history of violence before they got together.
Under the law, people can apply to the police to find out if their partner has a violent past – and information will be released if there is a reason for concern.
Police can also contact women they are worried about, even if they’ve not been asked.
To make an application under Clare’s Law, call 101 to speak to your local police force.
If you are in immediate danger, always call 999.
It wasn’t long before I realised Morgan had a jealous streak.
He didn’t like any of my male friends and one day asked “are you sleeping with any of them?”
“Don’t be so ridiculous,” I hit back.
A few days later, I caught him using my phone to block messages from other men.
“If you weren’t such a slag, I wouldn’t have to do this,” he told me.
I felt so angry. I’d believed him when he said he’d changed but it had clearly been a lie.
‘You’re not going anywhere,’ he said. ‘If I can’t have you, no-one will’
Denise Brynes
“Do you want to be in this relationship?” I asked him. “Because I’m no longer sure.”
We were both standing on the stairs at the time. Morgan turned around and started walking back up towards me.
I thought he was going to give me a hug, but instead he grabbed my ankles and pulled my feet from underneath me.
I fell backwards and cracked my head on the stairs. “Stop!” I screamed, but Morgan ignored me.
He dragged me to the bottom of the stairs by my feet, then went into the kitchen. He returned holding a mug which he smashed over his own head.
“If you call the police, I’ll claim self defence,” he said. Then he left.
Despite his threats, I immediately locked the door and called 999.
Morgan was arrested and charged. After pleading guilty to assault, he was given a community sentence.
He tried to make contact, but I ignored him. I’d warned him we’d be over if he hurt me and I’d been serious about that.
A SECOND ATTACK
But 10 weeks later, on May 11, there was a knock on my door at home. I opened it to find Morgan standing there, blind drunk.
“Can we talk?” he asked.
“Not while you’re in that state,” I replied.
Realising he was too drunk to get home, I made him a bed on the sofa. I went to sleep and, in the morning, I made us both a cup of tea.
“Sorry about last night,” he said.
“It’s fine,” I replied. “You didn’t do anything that embarrassing.”
“I meant the sex,” he said.
Shocked, I replied: “We didn’t have sex. I wouldn’t go near you after what you did to me.”
I told him to get his things together and started putting on my make-up.
But as I turned my back, I heard footsteps and looked up just in time to see Morgan’s fist smashing into my face.
The attack went on for three hours. Every now and then he’d stop to catch his breath
Denise Brynes
“You’re not going anywhere,” he said. “If I can’t have you, no-one will.”
Then he climbed on top of me and squeezed his hands around my neck until the blood vessels in my eyes began to burst.
“Morgan, stop!” I pleaded, but his eyes were wide and crazed.
“He’s going to kill me!” I thought, terrified.
I clawed at his face with my nails in a desperate attempt to get him off me, but it was like he was possessed.
The attack went on for three hours. Every now and then he’d stop to catch his breath.
At one point, my phone fell out of his pocket. I grabbed it and dialled 999, then flung it under the bed, praying someone would hear my screams.
Just when I was about to give up hope, I heard sirens.
Just when I was about to give up hope, I heard sirens
Denise Brynes
Morgan was distracted for a moment and I took my chance.
I raced for the door, but he caught me by the hair and dragged me back.
Then he went into the kitchen. “He’s gone to get a knife”, I thought in terror.
Mustering all my strength, I pulled myself up, flung the window open and jumped out.
I landed right at the feet of a police officer. Two other officers burst into the house and arrested Morgan.
“It was self defence,” he cried as he was led away.
But my bloodied and swollen face told a different story.
I was taken to hospital. Incredibly no bones had been broken, but I had severe bruising.
In June, Morgan Charles Ralph, 34, of Haverfordwest, appeared at Swansea Crown Court and admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The court was told he’d kept me prisoner in my home for three hours, punching me around 50 times and pushing me down the stairs, as well as kicking, biting and head butting me.
Shockingly, it emerged that Morgan had 54 previous convictions for 102 offences, including 12 for violence, mainly against women.
In one case, he had broken a woman’s jaw in an attack with a screwdriver.
WHERE CAN I GET HELP?
You don’t have to suffer in silence.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or someone you know is there are groups that can help.
Refuge runs a free, 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247
You can also visit the website or contact Women’s Aid.
The judge, Paul Thomas QC, said Morgan was a coward who had used me as a human punchbag.
He said it was a mystery why Morgan hadn’t been charged with false imprisonment.
If he had, the judge said, he would be facing a significantly longer sentence.
“You put that woman through a prolonged, brutal, savage beating,” Judge Thomas added.
MOST READ IN REAL LIFE
As it was, Morgan was jailed for two years and three months – with the judge imposing a restraining order to stop him contacting me.
I don’t think it was anywhere near long enough and I worry he will remain a danger to women.
That’s why I’m telling my story. I was warned about Morgan and I didn’t listen. Don’t make the same mistake.
Earlier today, we spoke to a revenge porn victim who was ‘scarred for life’ when her jealous ex sent an X-rated video to her mum.