Violent and controlling husband who throttled wife is LET OFF by judge who says he had 1970s-style ‘outdated’ views
A SEXIST husband who throttled and bullied his wife was let off by a judge because of his “outdated” 1970s-style views. Graham Walker, 63, banned Deborah from seeing her friends and family and abused her over her weight, the way she walked and how she drove. The “paranoid and jealous” dad-of-four also regularly accused her […]
A SEXIST husband who throttled and bullied his wife was let off by a judge because of his “outdated” 1970s-style views.
Graham Walker, 63, banned Deborah from seeing her friends and family and abused her over her weight, the way she walked and how she drove.
The “paranoid and jealous” dad-of-four also regularly accused her of having an affair and blocked her from work nights out as he sought to “undermine and isolate” her.
But his controlling behaviour turned violent when he grabbed her by the throat and slapped her following a petty row on their first wedding anniversary over directions.
Walker admitted engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and common assault at Manchester Crown Court.
But he was spared jail after the court heard he held ”old fashioned” views about women and instead told to complete a Building Better Relationships programme.
‘OUT-OF-DATE VIEWS’
Sentencing, Miss Recorder Mary Loram QC told him: “You are a man in your 60s and it seems this behaviour was borne not just out of outdated views but also out of insecurity.
“I do not sentence you for having out-of-date views, you need to attempt to work on that. but I sentence you for imparting your views with bullying and control.
“This is a real chance for you to change. Don’t use your age to excuse your behaviour, you were a young man in the 1970s, come on!”
The court heard how the couple, who have now split, married in November 2017 after two years together.
But he held a “set of gender stereotypes” of how Deborah should conduct herself in the marriage – with his behaviour getting worse over time.
CONTROLLING BEHAVIOUR
Walker was “hyper-critical” of how she looked and would tear into her about her weight, appearance and how she held the steering wheel.
He also shouted and threw things at his wife and spat at her – leading Deborah to feel she was constantly on a “knife edge”.
On one occasion in October 2018, Walker branded her a “slag” because she asked to go on a work night out, and often sent her a barrage of abusive text messages.
Deborah warned Walker she would leave him if he didn’t change his ways and on November 28, 2018, they arranged a romantic night in a hotel in Manchester for their anniversary.
BRUTAL ATTACK
But Walker launched into an explosive row with Deborah over the best route back to the hotel and stormed off.
Prosecutor Neil Usher said: “Back in the hotel room, the defendant was waiting outside the door and she let him into the room. He immediately started shouting at her, grabbed her by the throat, squeezed her throat, struck her face with his hand and knocked her to the floor.
“He then grabbed her face and shoved his head towards her as if to headbutt her, but desisted and left the hotel.”
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Walker was arrested and “trembling” Deborah later showed police the raging text messages she had received, which continued even after the brutal attack.
In mitigation, defence lawyer Nicholas Flanagan said: “He accepts the culpability, distress and harm he caused to his partner and he hasn’t been in contact with her since December 2018.”
Walker, of Stockport, was also sentenced to an 18 month community order.
