Domestic abuser from Blackheath found guilty of coercing partner to jump from second floor window
BY TOBY PORTER
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
A father who controlled, coerced and abused the mother of his child has been found guilty of the crimes.
Remmel Parker, 20, had pleaded not guilty to charges including assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.
But a jury found him guilty on November 1, after a two-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court, of two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, as well as two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and breaching his non-molestation order.
Parker, from Blackheath, controlled his “on-off” girlfriend of three years Demi Fleming – he suffocated her with a pillow he held over her face while punching her, on one occasion.
When she broke free, he told her the only way she would escape was by jumping out of the second-floor window.
He told her the reason he was coaxing her to do so was because he only wanted to go to prison for a crime that was worth it.
Ms Fleming jumped from the second-floor window – but Parker told her to lie about her injuries. And he attacked her again when she returned from being treated in hospital.
It was only when he suffocated her again that she told the truth to her aunt, who reported it to the police.
Ms Fleming was reluctant to report the abuse, after Parker threatened members of her family.
Richard Partridge, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Ms Fleming suffered at the hands of Remmel Parker over a number of years.
“As the father of her child, she should have found in him someone she could trust and who supported her, not someone who regularly controlled, assaulted and manipulated her.
“For years, Ms Fleming was terrified to tell anyone about the abuse she endured. Parker’s endless threats to her and her family secured her silence for three years.
“This conviction will hopefully help Ms Fleming move on, safe in the knowledge that he will no longer pose a risk to her.”
Detective Constable Jay Gasson, of the South East Safeguarding Unit, said: “Parker is a dangerous and violent perpetrator of domestic abuse. He has shown a high level of violence towards the victim and sought to control her daily life.
“His controlling and violent behaviour led to the victim jumping from a second floor window to escape Parker, who threatened her.
“He also assaulted her further after she returned from the hospital, which included suffocating and strangling her.
“I wholeheartedly commend the bravery of the victim in coming forward to police, and her courage in giving evidence against Parker.
“I hope that this verdict sends a message to those who are violent and coercive in a domestic setting, that police take these matters seriously and will fully investigate allegations and place perpetrators before the courts.
“I encourage anyone who is a victim of physical or mental domestic abuse to contact officers without delay with the assurance that you will be listened to and supported.”