Plenty of Fish 'boyfriend from hell' threatened to kill woman in campaign of abuse

Dennis Beastall and Julie Emms met on a dating website and he moved into her flat in Leicestershire a week after they started talking - but he soon turned violent

A man who presented himself as the perfect partner was branded "boyfriend from hell" after abusing a woman he met on a dating website.

Julie Emms was so happy with Dennis Beastall that he moved into her Glenfield flat, Leicestershire, a week after they met online on Plenty of Fish.

Beastall, formerly of Swadlincote, Derby, soon seized control of her life, Leicester Crown Court heard.

He allegedly dictated the clothes she wore and who she could remain friends with.

The heavy drinker spent £2,000 of Ms Emms' money on booze and tobacco during their five month on and off relationship,  Leicestershire Live reports.

The court heard how he would turn violent and intimidating, once menacingly threatening to slash her throat.

He once allegedly said: "I'll petrol bomb your flat."

When the woman tried to end the relationship, he kicked and punched her on the head and body.

Beastall apologised and continued to win back her affection following further violence, including ripping one of her earrings out.

Following one break-up, she returned home and he jumped out of a cupboard to attack her.

On a separate occasion, she discovered he was hiding in her attic when he fell through the ceiling.

Beastall, 47, was found guilty, following a magistrates' court trial, of three common assaults, controlling and coercive behaviour, making a threat to kill and damage by smashing panels in the victim's front door.   

He denied the offences.

Ms Emms, 50, had to relive events in the witness box - with images of the injuries he inflicted being shown in court.

Beastall, who has 75 previous convictions, including "numerous for harassment of previous partners," was committed to Leicester Crown Court for sentence.

Catherine Ricardo, prosecuting, said: "The complainant and defendant met on a dating website on May 10 this year.

"Although, at times, he was loving towards her, he became controlling. She was told what to wear, including her underwear.

"She was told to change her contact details on her mobile phone and to get rid of contacts on Facebook.

"On May 30, Beastall was demanding to know her whereabouts when she simply went out to get her nails done."

When she returned home, he was naked and drinking heavily in the flat which resulted in an argument and she told him to leave.

Ms Ricardo said: "He kicked her whilst wearing trainers, including kicking her forcefully on the head and body and repeatedly punched with clenched fists.

"She was on the floor curled up and screaming for help."

Afterwards he sent her a message saying: "If you call the police I will kill you."

The victim, who suffered a bruised wrist and forearm and a lump on her face, later told the police: "He was very aggressive, as if he was fighting a man."

Beastall moved out for a while, but after his return he became jealous when he heard Ms Emms had been in contact with the daughter of a former partner, during a visit to her sister.

Gesturing a finger across his neck, Beastall told Ms Emms, in front of her sister: "I'm going to kill you, I'm going to slash your throat."

When she went home after some time, he jumped out of an alcove cupboard in the dark and punched her to her head and right eye.

Ms Ricardo said: "It was terrifying and she fell backwards."

He shouted abuse and repeatedly bashed her with a rucksack.

The court heard the victim, who was "petrified" of the defendant, made two retraction statements at his behest.

Ms Ricardo said: "She still feels terrified and is paranoid about him waiting for her in the dark.

"She says she's an emotional wreck with flashbacks, anxiety and depression."

Whilst in custody, he sent her a letter asking for forgiveness and was still trying to win her back. 

Judge Robert Brown told Beastall: "I have to sentence you for acts of violence against Ms Emms when you were together.

"You pleaded not guilty and she had to give evidence at trial.

"It was a course of conduct and you have a bad record for common assault and harassment.

The judge said to the defendant: "You've taken a realistic attitude and I hope you're right when you tell me the relationship is over."

Beastall said: "I've got someone else so I have no reason to contact her."

Ms Emms told the court she now plans on moving address. 

The defendant said a restraining order would prevent him from collecting his belongings from the victim's home.

Ms Emms said she had given his possessions to charity, on the suggestion of his brother.

Beastall threw his arms in the air in the dock and angrily shouted: "That's all my stuff gone."  

He then asked what had happened to his money.

Ms Emms, who was accompanied by a Women's Aid support worker, produced the defendant's bank card and handed it to a court usher saying: "I haven't touched his bank account."

As Beastall continued to grumble, the judge interrupted him, saying: "You had a good go at drinking your way through this lady's money."

Kelly Cyples, mitigating, said: "He's from the Derby area and no reason to come back to Leicester.

She said: "He accepts the finding of guilt by the magistrates and having heard the views of Ms Emms accepts the relationship is over and that she doesn't wish any further contact."

Ms Cyples said the defendant was "struggling with alcohol consumption" at the time, consuming nine or 10 cans of lager at least every other day, which "impacted on his functioning."

Beastall was jailed for 12 months.

He was placed on a five year restraining order banning contact with Ms Emms.

Ms Emms said afterwards: "I'm disappointed with the sentence, it should have been a lot longer.

"He was the most amazing person when I first met him, a lot of fun.

"He could turn the charm on like a tap, but his mood could quickly change and he got nastier after a drink.

"It all began to change after two weeks.

"I wasn't allowed any male friends on Facebook - he deleted them - he was always on my phone.

"I was isolated from my family and friends, who didn't like him.

"He told me I was the first woman he'd assaulted, which wasn't true - he was always sorry afterwards and somehow kept winning me round.

"I was shocked to learn he had so many previous convictions, including violence towards former partners - if I'd known that I'd have run a mile.

"I'm speaking out to help protect other women."

When asked what her advice would be to those seeking love online, she told LeicestershireLive: "If you go on a dating website vet that person before you entertain even meeting them, you don't know who they are - I ended up with an animal.

"He was the boyfriend from hell."

Ms Emms met Dennis George Beastall, known as "Billy" on the Plenty of Fish (POF) dating site.

She said: "His profile photo was taken when he was younger and better looking.

"He was also on the Badoo site and used profile names, including Billy Breaker Beastall and Billy Rooster Beastall."