'He beat me like an animal... I thought I was going to die'

HARROWING VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT AS VIOLENT BULLY WHO STALKED FORMER PARTNER IS JAILED

- By SOPHIE CORCORAN

A WOMAN whose life was controlled by a violent, bullying man has told how “he couldn’t stand the idea of losing control over me, so he snapped.”

Martin Woodhouse, 39, of Moins Close, Mixenden, Halifax, has been jailed for seven years and three months after admitting attempted assault and stalking including fear of violence at Bradford Crown Court.

The offences happened on September 1 last year and relate to a campaign of stalking between December 7 last year and January 31 this year.

He was also found guilty, after a trial, of two counts of dangerous driving in relation to offences on January 28 and 29, during which he failed to stop for officers. At the time, Woodhouse was wanted by police for breaching his bail conditions and stalking.

In an impact statement, his victim described how he “beat me like I was an animal.” She said: “I've never felt that level of hatred and violence before.