A domestic abuse survivor terrorised by her abusive ex-boyfriend is "relieved" after his "dirty little secret" was revealed, claims a relative.
Christopher Forrest pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-partner on multiple occasions during a court hearing yesterday and is due to be sentenced next month.
The 40-year-old delivery driver, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, committed the attacks at his victim's home in Blantyre, in the same county, between July 2017 and August 2020.
Hamilton Sheriff Court saw CCTV which showed the thug throttling her on a bed and telling her she was going to die, reports the Daily Record.
A family member told the newspaper the victim "feels better" but can't believe he is still walking the streets while he waits to find out his sentence.
They said: "She is relieved it's out there for everyone to see who he really is and she is no longer hiding his dirty little secret.
"This is really going to embarrass him. He had access to that CCTV and took it for granted she would never report it - that's how arrogant he is.
"She had no idea how violent this man was and is astounded he was given bail and is still walking the streets. He could have killed her.
"This has changed her as a person and will stay with her for the rest of her life - she'll never get that time back.
"She wants justice and a sentence fitting for what he has put her through. The man has no remorse."
In her victim impact statement the 33-year-old professional told the court that Forrest’s attacks had left her with crippling anxiety and suffering from panic attacks.
She also revealed to the court that on one occasion Forrest forced bank notes into her mouth as punishment for asking him for money.
The chilling footage, which was recorded on a camera meant for dog-watching when the house was empty, shows Forrest hurling abuse and launching unprovoked attacks on the woman.
In one video she can be heard gasping for breath as he chokes her and says: ‘You’re going to die.’”
In other footage she is "rag-dolled" against a car and thrown to the ground while Forrest hurls abuse at her.
She said: “At the time of each attack I suffered physical pain as detailed above and left in a state of shock for many hours at times which came in forms of silence with disbelief of what had happened to me, or in floods of tears and very distraught and unable to understand why I deserved this treatment from an individual that claimed to love and care for me.
“I would come home from work terrified as to what I would be walking into, I felt as if I was walking on egg shells.
“My attacker was so unpredictable that even when I tried to do something nice, like make dinner for him, he could still lash out.
“I was fearful to ask anything of him for example to put a washing on or tidy up as he would get angry and unpredictable at being asked to do these things.
“As a result I did anything that needed done myself, including DIY, to avoid any outbursts.”
She said the ordeal has left her fearful in certain situations and struggling to interact with her colleagues and friends.
She also told the court: “Certain movements or behaviours remind me of some of the violence I suffered from and as a result make me jump or cower. This causes awkwardness around work colleagues, friends and others close to me.
“My neck is an area that I am particularly sensitive about and become panicked if anyone gets close to it.
“I feel that since these attacks I have become more withdrawn. I do not like and find physical interactions awkward, uncomfortable and at times scary. I am more focused on people’s body language and I can feel unnecessarily fearful. I try to avoid social interactions and struggle to interact with people.”
The court heard the the relationship began in 2015 and the first assault happened after the woman arrived home in Blantyre with shopping on July 6, 2017.
The couple had an argument in their driveway.
Forrest grabbed her by the throat and pinned her against the wall before shoving her against the car with such force the rear wiper broke.
On other occasions she was left with a bleeding nose and marks on her neck.
The woman finally reported matters to the police in September 2020.
Sheriff Linda Nicolson deferred sentence until next month for a criminal justice social work report and an electronic tagging assessment.
Forrest, who now lives with his parents, of Lochaline, Ayr, had his bail continued.
