Sunderland domestic abuser who broke woman’s spine with van learns his fate
Serial domestic abuser Dominic Phillips has been jailed for seven years after deliberately driving his van at a former partner, pinning her against a wall and fracturing her spine and pelvis.
The 40-year-old then attempted to justify the assault by telling her: “This is what happens when you don’t do as you’re told”.
Phillips, of Grey Terrace, Sunderland, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court for a string of domestic abuse offences committed against two former partners.
Both women reported the abuse after their respective relationships had ended as they were in fear of it escalating.
In 2024, one woman came forward to Northumbria Police to report the physical and coercively controlling behaviour she had experienced from Phillips some years earlier.
The abuse included Phillips punching her in the face as she attempted to end the relationship, as well as bursting her lip on another occasion.
It culminated in an assault during which Phillips drove his vehicle at the woman.
In a subsequent relationship, Phillips again used his car to threaten a woman, driving at speed towards a wall before braking at the last moment because he was angry.
He then drove the woman to Hendon Beach cliffs before assaulting her, strangling her by putting his elbow and his knee on her neck until she passed out, then threatening to drive them both off the edge.
He later threatened her with a knife before locking her inside his house.
The woman managed to escape the address and drive herself home. She called a friend to take her to hospital, who described her as having been left in a “terrible state”.
Both women came forward separately to make reports of domestic abuse and Phillips was arrested and questioned.
During interview, Phillips denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was lost in the dark and didn’t mean to scare the woman following the report from Hendon Beach.
He also alleged he couldn’t remember the circumstances around the incident where he struck the first woman with his van.
Despite his denials, Phillips was charged with a string of domestic abuse-related offences in relation to both cases.
He attended Newcastle Crown Court in January and March this year where he pleaded guilty to offences involving both women.
The offences included controlling or coercive behaviour, two counts of intentional strangulation, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, putting a person in fear of violence, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Phillips returned to the same court on Friday where he was handed a seven-year prison sentence. He will also spend a further four years on extended licence once he is released from custody and was handed two restraining orders, to protect both women.
In a Victim Personal Statement, the first woman described the lasting impact of Phillips’ offending.
She said: “The negative impact this man has had on my life throughout the duration of our relationship, and continued to this day, is something I would never wish on anyone.
“I have never truly experienced pain like having my pelvis and spine broken. I remember seeing myself the morning after the incident, as I struggled to get to the toilet. My whole face was white with pain and shock. An image that I’ll never forget.
“It’s not just the pain, but the fear I had. Worry that if I speak up and tell the truth, what will he do to me next?”
She continued: “Whilst I’ve healed physically and feel much stronger, the mental wounds from the trauma I endured remain. This experience has permanently changed my outlook on life and on people.
“Talking about the abuse has been difficult, but I feel so proud that I am finally able to speak the truth after so many years of silence.
“I am so grateful that I was able to escape Dominic and his control.”
The second woman described how she was “terrified” of Phillips and what he was capable of.
She said: “This traumatic incident has had a profound and lasting impact on every aspect of my life – mentally, emotionally, physically and financially.
“My life has fundamentally changed as a direct result of what was done to me.
“I have been left with a visible scar on my forehead that is unlikely to ever fade. The injury is a permanent reminder of the violence I suffered.
“Since the attack, my mental health has deteriorated severely. I struggle to sleep and regularly experience vivid nightmares in which I relive the incident.”
She continued: “Perhaps most damaging of all is the loss of trust this incident has caused. I no longer trust people, my surroundings, or my own sense of safety.
“What happened to me, and others before me, at the hands of Dominic Phillips, must not be allowed to happen again. The effects of his attack will remain with me for the rest of my life.”
Detective Constable Jonathan Doyle, who led the Northumbria Police investigation, said: “Dominic Phillips is a bully who has inflicted the most horrific abuse on these two women.
“I can’t even imagine how terrified they must have been when they went through these ordeals.
“I am so grateful that they both decided to come forward and report their abuser to police – meaning he has now had his day in court and is in prison where he belongs.”
He added: “To anyone out there who may have experienced any form of domestic abuse – whether it was a physical assault, or coercive control – please know we are here for you and we want to support you.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and you can make a report even if your relationship has just ended or ended a long time ago.”