Controlling thug left his ex-partner with scars

A JEALOUS and insecure man subjected his former girlfriend to months of emotional and physical abuse that left her in hospital.

- LUCY JOHN Reporter [e-mail]

Robert Dumazel was paranoid about men the victim knew before they had even met, which saw him repeatedly attack and control her.

The 24-year-old, of Barberry Rise in Cogan, Vale of Glamorgan, began a relationship with the victim in August 2023 which continued until the following spring.

A sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court yesterday heard that first he would call her names and invade her space before it progressed to violence so serious that she has been left with physical scars.

Addressing the court, prosecutor Bethan Evans described disturbing examples of Dumazel's behaviour, the first of which came on August 12, 2023.

She said: "On that occasion the defendant saw a conversation between the victim on Snapchat with another male.

"A conversation that took place prior to the relationship commencing. The defendant became angry and punched a wall."

Less than a month later, Ms Evans said, the pair were sitting in bed together as the victim used her iPad.

Afterwards Dumazel used the same device and was looking through her messages, when he found some messages that had taken place prior to their relationship.

"He became angry upon seeing the messages," Ms Evans said.

She described how Dumazel punched the victim, after which she fell backwards onto the floor. He then pushed the bedside table, which included a mirror, on top of her.

This caused significant bruising to her legs. Next he tried to kick the victim's head, but she was able to shield herself with her arms.

The abuse on this occasion stopped when a neighbour knocked the door. Dumazel left, and then returned around an hour later, when he apologised and said: "It won't happen again.”

A third incident came in December 2023 when the defendant said he wanted to go to the gym.

The victim asked for her car keys, but Dumazel told her: "You are not going anywhere," and left, taking the keys with him.