Jail for man who ran over partner’s leg in car and beat her in coercive control campaign that ‘ruined’ her life.
A man who ran his car over his former partner’s leg and led Gardaí on a 20-minute high-speed chase in another incident has been sentenced to four years in prison.
Amy Taib, 21, of addresses at Drumcairn Avenue, Tallaght and Méile An Rí Road, Balgaddy, Lucan, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing damage to addresses in Dublin and one count of coercive control of data between the May 9, 2018, and June 19, 2019.
Taib also pleaded guilty to endangerment, driving without a license and insurance on Fettercairn Ring Road, Tallaght and dangerous driving which caused endangerment at Main Street, Celbridge, Co Kildare on 13 October 2019. He has 22 prior convictions, primarily for road traffic offences.
Judge Elma Sheahan handed down a verdict in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, saying it was clear the victim “suffered a great deal of excitement and trauma from the assault and psychological trauma” caused by Taib’s insults over the course of their relationship .
Referring to the traffic violations, Judge Sheahan said it was “almost a miracle that no innocent motorist was not seriously injured that day.”
She gave Taib a total sentence of five years’ imprisonment, with credit to be given for any time she had served on the matter or in Scottish custody in relation to a European Arrest Warrant.
Judge Sheahan cited the seriousness of Taib’s offenses and his previous traffic offense convictions as aggravating factors.
She said the court did not believe Taib was aware that his drug use may have affected his mental health more than usual due to his then undiagnosed “persistent, serious” mental illness.
Judge Sheahan said Taib’s criminal record was reduced based on his diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia while he was in Scotland following those incidents. Medical reports indicate a history of mental health problems as a younger teenager.
The judge said mitigating factors included Taib’s guilty plea, which meant the victim did not have to testify at a trial and “relived the trauma of her experiences with the defendant.”
She also considered Taib’s association with Gardai, his work history, family support, and background of mental illness.
Judge Sheahan said she would stay the final 12 months of the sentence for a two-year period under strict conditions, including that Taib be under the supervision of the probation service, have no contact with the victim, and stay away from her home and place of work.
Taib also assured the court that under no circumstances would he have any contact with the victim while in detention.
Judge Sheahan also suspended Taib’s driver’s license for six years.
The court had previously heard that he had choked his then-partner multiple times during their relationship. In another incident, he hit her with his car and ran over her right leg.
On October 13, 2019, Taib was driving on multiple roads at high speed on the wrong side and ignoring stop signs and red lights during a 20-minute chase involving the Garda helicopter.
It is believed that he acted this way because he had no insurance.
In her victim statement, Taib’s former partner said he made her “a different person” who struggled with depression and anxiety. She said she sustained mental and physical injuries, including permanent damage to her foot.
The victim said Taib “ruined” her life and hurt her family.
Brian Gageby, BL, who is defending himself, said his client was diagnosed with schizophrenia in early 2020 and this may have been a contributing factor to his offence. His client had also consumed cannabis at the time.
Mr Gageby said his client accepts that he has harmed his ex-partner and that this is not acceptable behaviour.
Garda Craig Daven told prosecutors Diana Stuart BL that Taib’s ex-girlfriend told Gardaí their relationship began in May 2018 and she found Taib “very controlling”.
She said she was “very scared of the way he was,” and the couple had many arguments throughout their relationship.
About two months into their relationship, the couple were sitting in a car talking when Taib grabbed the victim’s hair. He held her and then hit her.
The victim told her friends what had happened and they warned Taib to stay away from her. The couple reconciled after Taib apologized.
During an argument at the victim’s home in September 2018, Taib followed her into the bathroom and began choking her. She passed out and when she woke up he told her she had hit her head on the radiator. Taib apologized, but the victim felt intimidated and forced to accept his apology.
In October 2018, they moved in together and lived in Taib’s mother’s house. The victim said she felt isolated. During this time, Taib choked her many times.
The victim returned to her family home in December 2018 and the couple’s relationship appeared to be improving.
Taib and the victim were in his car going to meet friends at a pub on May 9, 2019. Taib got jealous. The victim got out of the car and followed her, prompting her to get back into the vehicle.
He hit her with his car and ran over her right leg. He told her to get up and used abusive language towards bystanders who came to offer help. Taib then stood on the victim’s leg. He later told Gardaí that he did so because he thought they were “messing up”.
Gardaí arrived and took the victim home. She suffered bruises and pain on her leg and ankle.
Taib apologized and the couple reconciled. He was arrested by Gardai in July 2019. When questioned, he said he couldn’t control his emotions and admitted hitting the victim as she was walking away.
He told gardaí that he did not recall choking her and admitted to running over her foot.
https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/jail-for-man-who-ran-over-partners-leg-in-car-and-beat-her-in-campaign-of-coercive-control-that-ruined-her-life-42303091.html Jail for man who ran over partner’s leg in car and beat her in coercive control campaign that ‘ruined’ her life.
