A man described as a skilled manipulator carved his initials into his girlfriend’s leg using a knife before requesting affection from her. James Freeman, a heavy drinker, displayed satisfaction after causing severe wounds to the woman’s leg that led to exposed tissue. Subsequently, he urged her to embrace and kiss him following the assault, as disclosed in Hull Crown Court.
The court learned that Freeman, aged 27 and residing in Hull, admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm, bodily harm assault, intentional suffocation, and assault during various incidents in 2024. The prosecutor revealed that Freeman and the victim engaged in a tumultuous relationship starting in September 2024 when she moved into his residence.
During an intoxicated episode in May last year, Freeman, under the influence of alcohol and Codeine, began cutting the woman’s leg with a blade. Ignoring her pleas to stop, he proceeded to carve his initials and several cuts into her leg, causing deep incisions and tissue exposure. Despite her distress, Freeman demanded intimacy and pinned her down when she resisted.
Following their separation, the victim sought medical attention, but due to delays, the wound could not be stitched, leaving a lasting scar on her leg. In another alarming incident, Freeman nearly struck the woman with his car after an altercation outside a nightclub, displaying aggressive behavior and verbal abuse towards her.
Freeman’s defense acknowledged his misconduct and personal issues, expressing remorse for involving the victim in his problems. As a result, Freeman received a two-year prison sentence and a five-year restraining order. The victim’s grandfather condemned Freeman’s actions, labeling him a sociopath with a lack of empathy and predicting future reoffending due to his manipulative nature and disregard for others’ well-being.