Rotherham domestic abuser who "put drugs before family" beat partner while she held his newborn son
He threw a knife for not making him dinner
A Rotherham domestic abuser is beginning a four-year prison sentence for a campaign of abuse against the mother of his child.
Details of years of shameful behaviour carried out by Conner Griffith against his partner - including beatings, derogatory insults and threatening her with knives - were read out in full at Sheffield Crown Court on Monday (September 21).
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“[Your partner] was family, who you were supposed to love, care for and protect - but you put drugs first,” said Her Honour Judge Megan Rhys KC to Griffiths, aged 34, of Cross Street, Greasbrough.
“You were controlling and manipulative. You were jealous. You used physical and verbal abuse to control her. You emotionally blackmailed her. You monitored where she was and who she was with by making her send pictures.
“You asked her for money, or just took it, to buy drugs.
“And if she tried to separate from you, you made threats to harm yourself in order to manipulate her into taking you back.
“I’m told you are ashamed - you rightly should be.”
The court heard the relationship began in late 2023, but Griffiths’ “jealous nature” and drug habit quickly revealed themselves.
Arguments frequently escalated into the 34-year-old beating his partner in front of who was essentially his stepchild, before later insisting the fights were all the woman’s fault.
On one occasion, when she refused to make him food because she was going out, he brandished a kitchen knife and threw it with such force it “embedded” in a door.
She was made to constantly send him pictures of where she was and who she was with, and regularly insulted her about her appearance.
On more than one occasion he broke windows at her property if he could not get hold of her.
On another, when she refused to let him use her teenage daughter’s mobile phone to buy drugs, he beat her while she was holding his newborn son, leading him to also make contact with the baby.
When the relationship ended, Griffiths texted her saying he wanted to take back Christmas presents he gave the children but she refused.
He then messaged her: “I’m coming down - see what happens - I’m coming down I’m going to smash your windows and I’m going to kill you.”
The 34-year-old denied all wrongdoing to the police, but later pleaded guilty to a count of coercive and controlling behaviour when it came to trial.
The details of his behaviour were read out as context for the one charge he faced, covering the period between December 2023 and January 2026.
The charge referenced “numerous assaults, threats to damage, and threats to kill”.
The court heard Griffiths has put on five stone, found work, tested negative for drugs and received the ‘enhanced prisoner’ status for good behaviour while in prison. He now admits his life and relationship were “out of control” because of his drug habit.
The judge said: “I accept that your remorse is genuine and I have heard that you appear to have reflected on your offending.
“You accept that the relationship is now over and it was all your own fault.
“All of your offending happened in the house she allowed you into - a house she has now had to leave as a result of your behaviour, because she feels she cannot stay there.”
Griffiths was jailed for four years and handed a restraining order from contacting his victim.