Drug-fuelled 'monster' threatened to burn his ex-girlfriend alive

WOMAN LEFT LIVING A NIGHTMARE

- By MARK NAYLOR

A VIOLENT and controlling bully was turned into a "monster" by his heavy use of crack cocaine - and his "horrendous" behaviour left his ex-girlfriend living a "nightmare" and feeling that she had become "a shell of a woman".

Bad-tempered and aggressive Hugo Smith continually demanded money so that he could buy drugs and he assaulted and strangled her during explosive outbursts of temper. He also held a lighter to her face and threatened to burn her alive, Hull Crown Court heard.

Smith, 36, of 21st Avenue, north Hull, admitted offences of intentional strangulation and using controlling and coercive behaviour.

Amber Hobson, prosecuting, said that Smith and the woman were in an initially very positive relationship spanning seven years but his behaviour changed and the relationship came to an end in spring 2023. After that, his poor behaviour escalated and he relied on crack cocaine.

He became homeless and the woman would sometimes take pity on him and allow him to stay overnight but, when she refused, he would break into an outhouse. When she refused to hand over money, he pushed her and punched her in her eye, causing bruises.