Sam Drewery, 33, regularly cheated on his girlfriend and, on other occasions, he hurled “nasty” insults, punched her, damaged her car and hid a secret tracking device inside it
A brutal and domineering thug violently throttled his petrified girlfriend, leaving her convinced she would perish, throughout a sustained and malicious campaign of physical and psychological torment that “ruined” her life.
Heartless and hostile Sam Drewery persistently betrayed the woman throughout their “rocky” relationship and, during other incidents, he launched “nasty” insults, struck her, vandalised her vehicle and concealed a covert tracking device within it, Hull Crown Court heard.
Drewery, 33, of Hull Road, Anlaby, but lately held in custody on remand, admitted using controlling or coercive behaviour in Grimsby, between July 30, 2022 and October 6 last year. He initially denied the charge but he entered a guilty plea on the day of a scheduled trial before Hull magistrates.
Amber Hobson, prosecuting, said that Drewery and the woman were in a relationship for approximately three years and they had a son. There were countless incidents of physical and emotional abuse from Drewery, including calling her “nasty names” and isolating her from her family and friends.
He was repeatedly unfaithful to her. During a drink-fuelled argument on July 31, 2022, Drewery punched the woman several times in the face and head, causing swelling to her head and eye. There was another argument on October 7, 2022 and he accused her of cheating on him. He shattered her car windows and attempted to set it ablaze, reports Hull Live.
He shoved her, resulting in a cut and grazing to her forehead and a split lip. “The relationship became rocky,” said Miss Hobson.
The woman discovered Drewery had been unfaithful and challenged him about it. He branded her a “nutter” and, amid a row, he lashed out and struck her knee before booting a hole through a door.
He inundated her with text messages, phone calls and flowers, pleading with her to rekindle their relationship. They reunited but he persisted in hurling vile insults and physically attacking her.
He throttled her and wrapped his arm round her neck, leaving her feeling as though she was going to die. On March 29, 2023, he struck her head, causing a lump to form.
On June 7, 2023, he furiously punched her knee and yelled at her. “He punched her again, hitting her hand,” said Miss Hobson.
On a separate occasion, he instructed her to check her car boot – where she discovered a tracking device.
Following their split, Drewery made threats to vandalise the woman’s car. “She was scared of what he would do,” said Miss Hobson.
“He threatened to come to her house and smash her car. This was persistent abuse over a prolonged period of time, a three-year period. There was fear of violence on multiple occasions. There were multiple incidents of violence used against her.”
The woman later stated: “This has ruined my confidence. He has ruined my life and continues to ruin my life. I am constantly worried about my car, my home, my family and my son.”
During questioning by police, Drewery denied the allegations. His criminal record showed 43 previous offences, including four for causing criminal damage.
Julia Baggs, defending, acknowledged these were deeply distressing incidents and that Drewery’s behaviour was wholly unacceptable. “He is determined not to repeat this again,” Miss Baggs said.
Drewery is now in a new relationship. He had spent three-and-a-half months in custody.
He had previously been employed in the scrap metal industry.
Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson told Drewery: “The relationship was characterised by repeated incidents of physical and emotional abuse. There were numerous incidents of violence and emotional abuse.
“You would assault her and isolate her from her family and friends and you would use violence towards her, especially when you were intoxicated. You would be unfaithful to her and you would make threats towards her.
“You were undermining of her emotionally and you made false allegations of infidelity. The worst incident was strangling her to the point where she almost lost consciousness.
“All of this had a major psychological effect on her. It’s a really unpleasant thing to do to be violent and undermining of the person who you are supposed to love.”
Drewery received a prison sentence of two years and eight months, along with a five-year restraining order.
