Controlling thug's campaign of terror

Brave victim praised by police for stepping forward after brute punched her, poured hot water over her and attacked her while she was pregnant

- ANDREW BARDSLEY

A CONTROLLING thug attacked his pregnant girlfriend and gaslighted her into thinking his rages and violence were her fault.

Joshua Fregene, 31, has been locked up after the 25-year-old woman bravely told of her ordeal.

The couple, who had been together for a decade and lived in Trafford, would often argue but Fregene would then turn violent. On one occasion, when she was six months pregnant, he threw an object at her which hit her in the stomach.

After initially trying to 'diffuse' the situation he then poured water all over her. She was left with a black eye following another incident after raging Fregene punched her.