Michael Stimson, formerly of Hythe, sentenced to two years in prison for ‘harrowing’ attack on former partner
A NEW Forest woman has described the “truly harrowing” injuries she suffered at the hands of a former partner who has been jailed for two years.
Rose Wright said she had been “strangled more times than I care to remember” by Michael Stimson and feared the 41-year-old would kill her.
He was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation, offences committed in 2022. An 11-year restraining order will begin once Stimson is released from custody.
Ms Wright said she would “never fully recover” from her ordeal, adding: “I got sentenced to life, whereas Michael got two years.”
In a victim impact statement read to the court, she said: “This was a man I️ would’ve given my last breath for, but chances are he’d be the one taking it from me. That night in November he very nearly did.
“Michael had strangled me more times than I care to remember, even picking me up by my throat and throwing me over a sofa, but never to the point I passed out.
“I am incredibly scared that Michael will kill me. I have witnessed first hand what he is capable of. He is dangerous.”
She added: “People don’t understand why people stay in domestic violence relationships. Before, I would say it could never be me. I’ve defended and tried to help others leave abuse. It’s not something comprehensible until you find yourself living it, and even then it doesn’t make sense. It’s like you’re blind to your own life.”
Ms Wright had been left “an empty shell of who I used to be”, the statement explained, with suicidal thoughts and unable to sleep well at night.
It added: “I live in a permanent state of high anxiety and I’m in constant fight-or-flight mode. I cannot bare physical touch from anyone, even struggling to hug my own daughter who has been deeply impacted by Michael’s abuse of me also.
“I can honestly say that Michael’s abuse has left me completely and utterly broken.”
The “relentless abuse” resulted in her being prescribed anti-depressants, and she has lost weight through stress, in addition to suffering financial problems due to being unable to work.
The statement concluded: “I live in constant fear of Michael now. He is a danger to women.”
Speaking after the case, police staff investigator Joe Howell said: “This is a positive result at court. Stimson has not only caused physical harm to the victim in this case, but also emotional abuse and torment.
“The injuries caused to the victim were truly harrowing, but I am pleased that they now have the protection of Stimson being behind bars.
“This behaviour must never be tolerated and we will always take any report of this nature extremely seriously.”
He added: “I would urge anyone else who is a victim of domestic abuse to seek help and report incidents to us. With their information and support, as this case has once again proven, we can then deal with perpetrators and seek justice for victims.”
Incidents can be reported to police by calling 101 or online at hampshire.police.uk
More information on domestic abuse can be found here.
As reported in the A&T, Stimson – of no fixed abode but formerly of Hythe – was jailed at Southampton Crown Court in 2019 for repeatedly attacking his then-partner and threatening to burn down a former friend’s farm.
He was again jailed in 2023 for stalking, criminal damage and sending offensive messages.
He also has previous convictions for attacking former partners in 2008 and 2014, and assaulting his parents in 2017.
