To many, John Hookings has played the hero. The celebrity bodyguard, from Essex, worked as a protection officer to some of the UK’s biggest stars.

While by day, he escorted the likes of Simon Cowell and Johnny Depp, behind closed doors, he subjected his girlfriend Stevie-Sara Russell to a torrent of abuse.

Stevie, now 43, met John in 2017 through their teenage children. Months later, they moved in together and after not long, Stevie fell pregnant.     

But on the same day Stevie told him she was expecting their first child together, John hit her because she refused to sleep with him.

Throughout her pregnancy, he insisted that they bathed together every night.

If she did not sleep with him every day, he would lose his temper and he threatened to slit her throat.

Bravely waiving her anonymity to speak exclusively to Femail, Stevie said:  ‘John asked me on a date, but I was happy single, I had three kids, and I was busy working as a hairdresser and beautician.

‘He kept persuading me, sending lovely text messages, he ordered flowers and an Easter egg to my work, he bought me a teddy bear.

Stevie-Sara Russell, 43, from Chelmsford, Essex, was showered with gifts and compliments by close-protection officer John Hookings, who claimed he was employed by a string of celebrities, including Simon Cowell , Johnny Depp , and the casts of TOWIE and Strictly (pictured)

Stevie-Sara Russell, 43, from Chelmsford, Essex, was showered with gifts and compliments by close-protection officer John Hookings, who claimed he was employed by a string of celebrities, including Simon Cowell , Johnny Depp , and the casts of TOWIE and Strictly (pictured)

On the same day Stevie announced she was expecting their first child together, Hookings hit her because she refused to sleep with him

On the same day Stevie announced she was expecting their first child together, Hookings hit her because she refused to sleep with him

‘He worked as a close-protection officer and invited me to meet the cast of TOWIE. 

‘He said he’d worked with Kim Kardashian’s ex, Johnny Depp and a string of reality TV personalities. 

‘He was so persistent, and all my friends and colleagues were urging me to give him a chance.’

The couple began dating in April 2017 but that July, Hookings announced his work was drying up and he would have to give up his rented home.

‘It was too soon for us to live together but again, he talked me into it, saying it wouldn’t be for long, and how much it would help me out.’

But living together his behaviour changed.

‘Before, when I saw my friends, he’d be all for it. 

‘The next time, he insisted he’d pick me up at the end of the night. 

Hookings, 48, was convicted of criminal damage, assault by beating and six counts of breaching a non-molestation order (pictured recently) She said: 'John asked me on a date, but I was happy single, I had three kids, and I was busy working as a hairdresser and beautician'

Hookings, 48, was convicted of criminal damage, assault by beating and six counts of breaching a non-molestation order (pictured recently)

It was only when they moved into together than John's behaviour changed (pictured with Jon Clark from TOWIE)

It was only when they moved into together than John’s behaviour changed (pictured with Jon Clark from TOWIE)

‘The third time, he criticised my outfit and reminded me I wasn’t as young as I used to be. 

‘The fourth time, he just stopped me from going out completely.

‘It was clever; a gradual chipping away at my confidence. 

‘He’d tell me I didn’t suit blonde hair, or that I was too fat for a dress, or that I was mutton dressed as lamb.

‘He didn’t like me going anywhere and I became alienated from my friends and family. 

‘Very soon, it was just me and him.’

In November, Stevie fell pregnant with the couple’s first child together as they were heading to Venice for the weekend.

‘The timing felt perfect. 

‘But I was sick in the hotel and when I refused to have sex, John slapped me across the face.

‘He was filled with remorse afterwards and blamed trauma from his own childhood and I felt I had to give him a chance.’

Mother of four Stevie, said: 'I am so glad it is over. John wore me down with false promises until we had moved in together and I was pregnant, and then his true colours emerged'

Mother of four Stevie, said: ‘I am so glad it is over. John wore me down with false promises until we had moved in together and I was pregnant, and then his true colours emerged’

Their daughter was born in July 2018, but Hookings did not allow Stevie to breastfeed in public because he did not want other men to see her body. On their daughter's first birthday and christening, he hit Stevie across the face with a mobile phone (pictured with James Locke from TOWIE)

Their daughter was born in July 2018, but Hookings did not allow Stevie to breastfeed in public because he did not want other men to see her body. On their daughter’s first birthday and christening, he hit Stevie across the face with a mobile phone (pictured with James Locke from TOWIE)

But at home, the relationship deteriorated further.

Stevie said: ‘I was the only one working but John insisted on coming to my clients’ homes to keep an eye on me, which was very awkward. He didn’t let me out of his sight.

‘I had bad morning sickness, I could only eat Polos, but he expected sex every night, or he’d be in a terrible mood.

‘He insisted we bath together every night, which had started off as a romantic element in our relationship but now it became a chore, and I hated it.’

Their daughter was born in July 2018, but Hookings did not allow Stevie to breastfeed in public because he did not want other men to see her body. 

On their daughter’s first birthday and christening, he hit Stevie across the face with a mobile phone.

She says: ‘He would belittle me, telling me previous partners had never really loved me, and he picked fault with my appearance all the time. 

‘I felt worthless.’

At the start of 2020, she ended the relationship, but the couple had contact for the sake of their daughter.

(pictured with Liam Blackwell, otherwise know as 'Gatsby' from TOWIE)

(pictured with Liam Blackwell, otherwise know as ‘Gatsby’ from TOWIE)

Last week, at Chelmsford Crown, John was handed 19 months in prison, suspended for two years and handed a 10-year restraining order (pictured Chris Clark, the brother of Jon Clark from the cast of TOWIE)

Last week, at Chelmsford Crown, John was handed 19 months in prison, suspended for two years and handed a 10-year restraining order (pictured Chris Clark, the brother of Jon Clark from the cast of TOWIE)

Stevie pictured with Ercan Ramadan from TOWIE

Stevie pictured with Ercan Ramadan from TOWIE

‘When I picked my daughter up one day, John hit the roof because I’d been out with my older children and their dad, which was purely platonic,’ she said.

‘He hit me across the head with a bath seat, smashed my head against the car and ripped out my false nails. 

‘He was trying to pull my clothes off so I could show myself off to other men.’

Stevie was granted a non-molestation order, but Hookings continued to wear her down.

She said: ‘If I didn’t pick the phone up, he’d text: ‘Pull your knickers back up and reply.’ It was a barrage of disgusting abuse. 

‘I tried to maintain a relationship for the sake of our daughter, but it was impossible.

‘He smashed an outside light, he smashed my bathroom taps and a chandelier light fitting. Every time I saw him, he’d destroy something else.’

In March 2021, Stevie spoke to the police and Hookings was arrested. 

Hookings, 48, was convicted of criminal damage, assault by beating and six counts of breaching a non-molestation order. 

Last week, at Chelmsford Crown, he was handed 19 months in prison, suspended for two years and handed a 10-year restraining order.

‘In arguments, John always laughed at me and said I was such a victim. I feel I’ve had the last laugh now and I’ve shown I’m a survivor too,’ she said.

‘I am so glad it is over. John wore me down with false promises until we had moved in together and I was pregnant, and then his true colours emerged.

‘The violence was horrible, but the mental abuse was worse; he would tell me I was too old to wear a short skirt, too fat to wear a low-cut top, and gradually, my confidence was destroyed.

‘It took a great deal of strength to see this through the court, but I want others to know that you can do it – and you will feel free when it’s over. Domestic abuse is appalling but there is a way out, and it could save your life.’

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