Today, Friday, 13th June, at Belfast Crown Court, the Police Service of Northern Ireland has acknowledged the sentence handed down to 38-year-old James Oakes from Greenisland for domestic abuse crimes.
Oakes was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment with a minimum of five and a half years to be spent in custody, after pleading guilty to 43 counts of domestic abuse including; grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, common assault, criminal damage and threats to kill.
Detective Constable Gavin Harvey said: "This was a significant and prolonged case of domestic abuse, with the victim being subjected to a campaign of violent attacks, the first of which took place in December 2014 and the final incident in December 2020.
“Oakes is a violent, cold and calculating man who exerted control over his victim for many years through fear. She was subjected to punches, kicks, strangulation, a cigarette being extinguished on her face and on one occasion struck her repeatedly about the hands, arms and stomach with a hammer. She was threatened with an axe and he hit her with a metal log holder to her arms and legs resulting in a laceration to her head. Following a threat to kill he began digging in the victim’s garden and told her that he was digging her grave.”
“It is shocking the abuse he subjected his victim to over such a prolonged period of time, no one should have to live like that.
“It is incredibly brave that the victim in this case reported and saw this case through the criminal justice process to get to sentencing today. She pushed through the fear barrier he built around her and fought for justice.
“Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and it is unacceptable. If you are being subjected to coercive controlling behaviour or violence, please report it to us or the 24 hour Domestic Violence helpline. We can help you.”