Controlling bully who paralysed woman found guilty of at court

Monday, November 24, 2025

The man pictured below is 56-year-old Robert Easom, a violent and controlling bully.

Over the course of eight years, he subjected the woman he claimed to love to a relentless campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour, regularly verbally abusing her and, at times, physically assaulting her.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, Easom was today (24th November) found guilty of Section 18 Assault. He had previously admitted to engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour between July 2017 and February 2025, as well as two offences of actual bodily harm.

Throughout the relationship, the victim documented the abuse in the notes section of her phone. In addition to the serious physical assaults, she described what she called “low-level events” that became normalised - living in a cycle where Easom would be verbally or physically abusive, then apologetic and affectionate.

Examples included forcing her to clean up spilled food, pushing her against furniture, shouting at her, driving dangerously to frighten her, and headbutting her.

Around seven months into the relationship, during a trip to York, Easom “switched” into a rage, dragged her around a bathroom, and threatened her, quoting a line from Rambo: “Don’t push or I’ll give you a war.” When she tried to leave, he begged her to stay and acted remorseful.

In another incident in 2019, Easom violently grabbed her wine, slammed a fridge door, and shouted before dragging her upstairs by the head, banging her against each step.

In 2021, again in York, he placed a sheet over her head and strangled her, leaving her terrified for her life. The next day, he dismissed the attack, claiming he was “just trying to teach her a lesson”.

Despite knowing she needed to leave, the victim became trapped in a cycle of abuse. Whenever she tried to leave, Easom would belittle her, saying she was “useless” and couldn’t cope without him. Over time, her self-esteem was eroded, leaving her confused and broken down, though she continued to record notes as a way to make sense of what was happening.

Everything came to a horrific climax on 17th February 2025, when the victim told Easom she was leaving. His refusal to accept this led to a brutal assault that severed her spinal cord, leaving her paralysed and requiring specialist care ever since.

Easom, now of no fixed address but formerly of Longridge Road, Chipping, will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 27th February.

DC Bethanie Kirk, from the Burnley Vulnerable Adults Team, said: “Robert Easom is a manipulative and controlling individual with a warped sense of entitlement and repulsive views towards women. He poses a significant risk due to his violent and abusive behaviour. I welcome these convictions, which expose his abhorrent conduct for all to see.

“I want to commend the victim for her incredible bravery in coming forward and trusting Lancashire Police to protect her and bring Easom to justice. His cowardly and sustained abuse has had a profound and lasting impact on her life and her loved ones. I hope she can now begin rebuilding her life, free from his control.

“Finally, if you or anyone you know is in a relationship and something doesn’t feel right, I would encourage you to contact the police and we will take the appropriate action.”

Report it online via https://doitonline.lancashire.police.uk or call 101. In an emergency or if a crime is in progress always call 999.

For help and support, visit https://noexcuseforabuse.co.uk/