Benjamin Morgan, 29, threatened to kill his partner and told her to ‘Google’ him so she could read about his previous domestic abuse convictions – he has now been jailed
A violent and manipulative brute repeatedly “humiliated and degraded” his terrified girlfriend, telling her to “Google him” so she could read about his shocking past. Benjamin Morgan threatened to kill her, stating: “I should have done it ages ago.”
He warned her that he had secured a barrister and that she would “lose everything” if she took him to court. He accused her of infidelity and even urinated in her shoes, Hull Crown Court was told.
Morgan, 29, of Ryde Street, off Beverley Road, Hull, but recently held on remand, confessed to assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, on May 24 and intentionally suffocating her on the same day. He also admitted to controlling and coercive behaviour between February 1 and May 24.
Harry Bradford, prosecuting, said that Morgan and the woman began a relationship after meeting online. He accused her of being unfaithful to him and his mood became volatile and aggressive.
Throughout their relationship, he demanded that she use his mobile phone to speak to her family so that he knew who she was speaking to and when. This shattered her confidence and he used violence towards her, including slapping her in the face, reports Hull Live.
Morgan humiliated and degraded her by urinating in her shoes or pouring beer on her. He refused to let her leave the property, blocked doorways with his body and became aggressive if she tried to leave.
Morgan threatened to murder the woman, telling her: “I should have done it ages ago.”
He instructed her to Google him so she could see news articles about his past.
On 24 May, while at their home on Ryde Street, she attempted to escape from him and ran upstairs. However, he pursued her, wedged his foot in the doorway and forced his way through, pushing the door open again.
He struck the woman in her face with the back of his hand, leaving a bruise.
He elbowed her in the face, causing her lip to split. He seized her, slammed her against a wardrobe, spat at her and threw her to the ground.
He picked up a knife and made threats.
He shoved her onto the bed and covered her mouth with his hand, suffocating her. They later went to a pub, but he refused to let her out of his sight.
Morgan warned her: “I have got a barrister. You take me to court and I’ll make sure you lose everything.”
The woman managed to free herself and spoke to the pub manager, who then called the police.
“She waited and hid in the staff area until the police arrived,” said Mr Bradford. Morgan was subsequently arrested.
He had convictions for five previous offences, all domestic-related against another woman. He had been sentenced to two years and three months in prison in 2024.
The previous offences included controlling and coercive behaviour, assault causing actual bodily harm and two counts of intentional suffocation.
Jane Rapin, in mitigation, stated that Morgan struggled to handle the relationship’s challenges. “He has a level of insight that we rarely see from defendants, particularly in cases of domestic violence,” Miss Rapin said.
“He expresses genuine remorse. He feels deeply ashamed of what he put this poor woman through. He simply can’t stop thinking about how sorry he is that she found herself in this relationship and he will regret that for the rest of his life.
“He deeply regrets that he finds himself in this position again. He is making plans for a positive future on his release.
“He has shown a good level of insight into how his alcohol use affects his offending. He has worked since the age of 16 as a groundsman. He wants to change everything about his life to make sure this court doesn’t see him again.”
Recorder Alistair MacDonald KC addressed Morgan: “You would subject her to violence throughout the course of the relationship. You were generally abusive, coercive and unpleasant to her.
“A custodial sentence is entirely merited in this case. No other form of sentence is appropriate.”
Morgan was sentenced to three-and-half years in prison and was issued a 10-year restraining order.