A courageous victim of a domestic abuser has told how she thought she was 'going to die' during a horrific campaign of torment lasting four years.

The brave woman, whose identity we are protecting, was subjected to daily beatings and threatened with a knife by evil Glasgow man Richard O’Neill.

She spoke of her relief after going to court last week to watch O'Neill be handed a six-year prison sentence - as well as being ordered to stay away from her for the next decade.

The 29-year-old was found guilty of a string of violent assaults and was also convicted of carrying an axe in Collina Street, Glasgow. 

Speaking exclusively to the Glasgow Times, the woman, from Maryhill, told how cracks started to appear weeks into the relationship.

She said: “He was lovely at first but soon turned into a complete Jekyll and Hyde character. He presented himself as a nice guy to everyone, but behind closed doors he was a monster.

“He became controlling and aggressive quite early in our relationship. He then started drinking heavily and at that point the violence started. Pretty quickly the attacks became more frequent.

"Sometimes he would choke me to the point where I was on the brink of blacking out, and then he’d punch and kick me. He’d call me all sorts of names, spit on me and bite me.

"He would push and pin me to a wall before punching me. I’d beg him to stop, but nothing could appease him.

“One time I was left with a damaged shoulder and pleaded with him to get me help, but he didn’t care what he was doing or the pain I was in.

"It was all about control. When he wasn’t hitting me, he would emotionally abuse me. He would take my money and dictate every aspect of my life.

“I wasn’t allowed to see my friends or family and on the odd occasion I did manage to leave my flat, he would call or text and demand to know my whereabouts. He would accuse me of being unfaithful and steal money to stop me from being able to go anywhere."

Glasgow Times:

The woman told how the abuse she suffered at O'Neill's hands, from May 2017 until February 2021, has taken its toll both mentally and physically.

She added: "I was living in constant fear. I realise that he could quite easily have killed me - there were moments where I thought that was what he was going to do.”

The 29-year-old finally found the courage to report O’Neill to the police.

She is now trying to rebuild her life and the trauma has seen her diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

She says she felt she had to attend the High Court in Paisley to watch her tormentor finally sentenced, after he was found guilty of the catalogue of crimes against her following a trial. 

She said: “I’m glad he will be kept away and not able to hurt me or anyone else. His arrogance in court and throughout the trial shows he has no remorse and hasn’t learned a thing.

“He is evil and a very dangerous man. I am grateful to the police who assisted me and I don’t think I’d be alive if they hadn’t given me the support I needed at the time."

Glasgow Times:

O'Neill's victim says she hopes that by speaking out other women will find the strength to stand up for themselves.

She added: "I hope that other women who are in abusive relationships feel encouraged to report it because the courts will take it seriously.

“What he did to me was horrific. I’m speaking out to make women aware of what he’s capable of and to let them know there is a way out if they put their trust in the police and courts. He’s a monster who has destroyed my confidence and ability to trust anyone.

“I truly believe he will never change. He only cares about himself.”

O’Neill was convicted of a string of domestic abuse offences and appeared for sentencing on Thursday via video link from HMP Inverness.

Defence agent Gary Allan KC told the court that O’Neill had been 'a model prisoner' and added that he was studying Italian behind bars.

He said: “He plans to get back into employment, which he’s never had an issue gaining, once he is released. He has no intention of contacting the accused in any way, shape or form and wishes to move forward.

“He wants to lead a settled life once released and I invite the court to exercise leniency that may allow him to do so in the future."

Passing sentence, Temporary Judge Sean Murphy KC said: “A custodial sentence is the only one that is appropriate for the seriousness of the crimes.

“Reports show you have stopped smoking and drinking and are continuing to improve your education in prison. However, you have been convicted of serious crimes that resulted in the accuser enduring physical and psychological harm over a long period of time."

O'Neill's six-year sentence was backdated to February 2021 when he was first taken into custody.

He is also prohibited from contacting, approaching or communicating with his victim after the imposition of a non-harassment order, which is in place for 10 years.