Judge ‘sorry’ after second woman abused by Burnopfield teenager

The pair again broke up but he bombarded her with messages, many threatening and abusive, and repeatedly rang her work place until police were finally informed.

In a statement read to the court, the woman said she changed herself in an effort to make Grenfell happy, stopped seeing her friends and gave him access to her phone, because she feared what he would do to her.

She said she was “walking on eggshells” around him and lied to friends and family about what had caused the injuries he inflicted to protect him.

The woman said she had believed Grenfell to be “genuine and decent” but now realised he was an “extremely dangerous” abuser, while the violent behaviour he claimed were “mental health episodes” was actually his real self.

After hearing of the major impact Grenfell had had on the woman, Judge Gittins told him: “I very much regret giving you the outstanding opportunity that I did and I apologise to your second victim because I put her in harm’s way.”

The judge said Grenfell had behaved “appallingly” and needed to “learn a lesson very quickly” that that was “not how you treat anyone, let someone you profess to care for”.

Grenfell admitted assault, coercive behaviour and stalking causing fear of violence.

Restraining orders banning him from contacting either of the two women or referring to them on social media were also made to last for 10 years.

Grenfell was also banned from driving for three years.