A woman feared for her life during a brutal attack by her violent partner on a cruise. David Morris, 57, was labeled by a judge as a repeat abuser of women. The horrifying incident occurred in their cabin during a P&O cruise to Belgium and France.
The victim sustained significant injuries, including bruising, a friction burn on her arm, and a suspected rib fracture, after Morris verbally assaulted her, pushed her to the floor, and threatened her life. He poured cold water on her, dragged her around, threatened to use boiling water, and smothered her with a pillow, causing her to fear for her life.
Morris was sentenced to 46 months in prison for the abusive attack. The court heard that he assaulted his partner following her return from the ship’s hairdresser. The victim managed to escape and report the incident to the ship’s staff when they docked in France.
The victim, in a statement, described the ordeal as the most terrifying experience of her life. She suffered physical and emotional trauma, including flashbacks, nightmares, and anxiety. Morris pleaded guilty to suffocation and had a history of violence, including a previous threat to kill in 2008.
Despite the defense arguing for a suspended sentence based on the potential for rehabilitation, the judge emphasized Morris’s dangerous and controlling behavior. He imposed a restraining order prohibiting Morris from contacting the victim.