A violent man who battered his bride-to-be and banned her from wearing make up ‘because it would attract other men’ has been spared jail.
Lauren Richmond, 22, was beaten up by league cricketer Jordan Greaves, 23, after she begged him not to drive while drunk.
She was saved by a nearby couple who heard her screaming for help during the attack and was rushed to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Lauren Richmond, 22, was beaten up by league cricketer Jordan Greaves, 23 (both left). She suffered a gash to her head (right)
Now more than a year later, she is enrolling on a make up and beauty therapy course at a college in the West Midlands.
Miss Richmond, formerly a lifeguard, said: ‘There are no words to explain how awful it feels to be trapped in a violent relationship, especially since Jordan tried so hard to destroy every shred of who I was as a person. I had always adored using makeup and experimenting with how I looked, but through his own insecurities he banned me from using it completely, terrified it would draw attention from other men.
‘I have been completely scarred by what Jordan put me through, and I still have days when I wonder if I’m good enough, and feel I have to ask permission to wear certain clothes, makeup or even see my friends. Some days I don’t even want to leave the house, and I often video call a friend so I can be sure I’m not being followed. He controlled so many elements of my life.
‘Securing a place on this course has given me a new lease of life and completely restored my self-confidence and sense of purpose. I feel like I am defying everything Jordan did to destroy me, and that alone gives me the strength and confidence to carry on.
Miss Richmond, previously of Huddersfield, met Greaves while she working at a holiday park. She said his behaviour began to change when she got a job at Starbucks. Pictured right are her injuries
‘No woman should ever be exposed to violence, and I just hope that when I finally qualify as a beauty therapist and can share my journey with my clients, I can inspire other women and even men to walk away from abuse and control and live the lives they choose for themselves and of course, help them feel beautiful and confident in who they are.’
Miss Richmond, previously of Huddersfield, met Greaves while she working at a holiday park and within two months moved into his flat and got engaged.
She added: ‘Things seemed to be moving so quickly, but I felt safe with Jordan. Everything was perfect for a while, but it didn’t take long for his behaviour to change.
‘I got a job at Starbucks but Jordan became obsessed with knowing where I was at every minute of the day and who I was talking to, He would follow me to work, and would sit in a booth staring at me for the duration of my shift. It was so menacing. For every male customer I served, Jordan would tear a strip off me. He’d become violent, accusing me of relishing the male attention.
Last May, Greaves got drunk on vodka and Sambuca after he and team-mates at Scholes Cricket Club celebrated a cup game victory – and then attacked Miss Richmond when she tried to stop him driving home
‘It was awful. I tried to assure him that he had no reason to feel jealous, as I only wanted him. But it was hopeless, there was no point trying to reason with him. He later apologised and told me he was getting professional help for his anger issues and I foolishly believed him.
But last May, Greaves got drunk on vodka and Sambuca after he and team-mates at Scholes Cricket Club celebrated a cup game victory – and then attacked Miss Richmond when she tried to stop him driving home.
She added: ‘He was adamant he wanted to drive, and I wanted no part in it so I said I would walk and meet him at home. He was furious. As I walked I received a tirade of vile text messages, most of which were him threatening to make a scene if I didn’t get into his car.
‘I climbed in and begged him not to drive, but it was no use. He was beyond reason. He started up his engine and revved, then began swerving all over the place. It was terrifying. I felt sick knowing the damage he could do if he hit someone.
‘Eventually I screamed at him to stop and he slammed on the brakes, coming to a complete stop in the middle of the road. Blood had already started pouring from a nasty gash on my head before I could even register the fact he was hitting me, raining sickening punches down on my face, neck and stomach. I could taste blood and begged him to stop.
‘I thought he was going to kill me, he was so relentless. I managed to roll down my window and screamed for help as loud as I could. Seconds later, a couple came running out of their house. The woman came to my rescue, pulling me out of the car and away from Jordan. Her partner called the police but Jordan climbed out of the car and scampered off down the street, staggering as he went.’
Now more than a year later, she is enrolling on a make up and beauty therapy course at a college in the West Midlands
She was later treated in hospital for a gash to her head and injuries to her ribs, face, neck and lips. Greaves who was found to be more than twice the drink driving limit later appeared at Kirklees Magistrates Court on 26th July, where he pleaded guilty to assault and drink driving.
He was given a community order, including 180 hours of unpaid work and a restraining order banning him from contacting Miss Richmond for one year.
He was also banned from driving for 20 months and ordered to pay £250 in compensation to Miss Richmond. He claimed he had been ‘unable’ to control his behaviour due to his alcohol intake.
But Miss Richmond said: ‘Domestic violence leaves you carrying this enormous weight above you, and you feel there’s nobody you can talk to because you’re so terrified about what might happen. You feel like whatever you have been through will be the thing that defines your future, but I refuse to let that happen.
‘Women are strong, beautiful and powerful and should never let a monster like Jordan ruin their lives. I hope my journey can inspire at least one person going through a similar nightmare to walk away from their attacker, and to live the life they choose for themselves.’