A WOMAN who suffered horrific abuse at the hands of an ex-boyfriend who subjected her to a six-hour attack is urging victims of domestic abuse to seek help.

The shocking assault that left Kirby Weegram seriously injured and in fear of her life brought to an end a campaign of abuse perpetrated by her obsessive boyfriend.

As he attempted to strangle and suffocate the 22-year-old, Jonathan Graham coldly ignored her pleas, threatening to kill her as she begged for permission to write a farewell letter to her loved ones.

The Northern Echo:

INJURED: Kirby Weegram following the attack. Picture: North News

This week, Graham was jailed for 21 months following the prolonged attack that left his ex-partner believing she would die at his hands.

Ms Weegram has bravely shared her recollections of the abuse she suffered in a bid to raise awareness of Clare’s Law, which allows people to find out if their partner has a history of domestic abuse.

She says awareness of the law would have allowed her to uncover Graham’s previous convictions for violence towards women and could have protected her from weeks of domestic abuse and violence.

The Northern Echo:

JAILED: Jonathan Graham. Picture: North News

Before Graham was jailed for assaulting and threatening to kill his former partner, Teesside Crown Court heard evidence of his jealous and controlling behaviour in the build up to a shocking attack that took place in August last year.

A relationship that lasted just two months saw the 32-year-old – who has previous convictions for affray, battery, harassment and criminal damage - routinely check Ms Weegram’s phone as he became increasingly possessive and abusive.

On the night of the attack she bumped into him at a bar in Hartlepool, where they argued before returning to Graham’s flat.

When Ms Weegram went to the toilet, Graham followed her into the bathroom before punching her in the face and knocking her to the floor.

He then covered her mouth and nose, leaving her unable to breathe, before threatening to kill her.

He strangled her and smothered her with a duvet when she fled to a bedroom, where the attack continued for around six hours.

She was left with bruising all over her body after being punched, kicked and beaten with a piece of wood.

After seeing her attacker jailed, Ms Weegram urged other victims of domestic abuse to seek help and to make use of Clare’s Law.

The carer said: "I used Clare's Law after Jonathan had attacked me as I was curious to see if he had any previous convictions.

"I found out that he had previous convictions for violence against women.

"I only wished I had done this sooner, because I would have left him straight away.

“I want to warn other women to use Clare's Law if they have any doubts about a partner.”

She went on to describe her ex as a Jekyll and Hyde character, saying: "At first Jonathan was charming. I'd heard rumours about him being violent towards women but he managed to convince me they were lies.

"A few weeks in we started to argue. He was so different when we argued - he was like Jekyll and Hyde.

"I started to worry about his temper, and just before the attack I took extra shifts at work just so that I could avoid spending time with him."

Speaking of the night he launched his final attack on her, she said: "He said 'you are never leaving this flat, I'm going to kill you tonight'.

"I was in pain all over my body. I was trapped for six hours whilst he abused me both physically and mentally.

"He spat and me and threw things at me, I genuinely thought that I was going to die.

“I begged him to let me write a final letter to my family, but he said that I didn't deserve to do that.

"He told me 'you should be lucky that I'm not a sexual deviant or I would rape you'."

The 32-year-old bit into a wine glass and started chewing the glass whilst telling his terrified victim "this is how indestructible I am".

He also told her that he was going to kill himself and frame her for his murder.

He finally let her go when she told him she had a shift at work but followed her as she walked home barefoot and bloodied, begging her to give him a “head start” on the police.

The brutal attack left Kirby with lacerations and bruises over her entire body, as well as black eyes, popped nose and a haemorrhage in her left eye from the lack of oxygen due to strangulation.

The Northern Echo:

BRUISING: The attack left Ms Weegram with bruising all over her body. Picture: North News

Graham, of Lewis Grove, Hartlepool, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threats to kill and was jailed for 21 months.

Ms Weegram said the law on suffocation and strangulation were “nowhere near tough enough” and said she was distraught that he wasn’t jailed for longer.

She added: "In domestic abuse cases the psychological damage is often undermined by the physical damage - but it is the psychological abuse that will stay in your mind.

"I would absolutely encourage any woman who even hears a rumour about their partner to get in touch with Clare's Law - if I'd done this then I would never have been in the position that I was.

"It could literally save a life. “

  • To request a disclosure under Clare’s Law, contact your local police force on 101