A brute doused his girlfriend’s face with bleach and subjected her to a horrific assault on Valentine’s Day following a “disastrous” meal out. Christopher Randles left his victim a “shell of a woman” after months of relentless abuse.
Previously accused of knocking out her front teeth, he later beat her unconscious when she discovered him viewing explicit films on his mobile. She has now told the court: “Every scar on my body is a reminder of domestic abuse. That man is the definition of a narcissist, a serial domestic abuser.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Randles, from Alexandra Road in Birkenhead, initiated a relationship with the woman, who the ECHO has opted not to identify, in spring 2023. Later that year, she reported to the police that the 43 year old defendant had knocked out her front teeth during an attack, although she later withdrew this complaint and he was never formally charged over the incident.
However, she later revealed that her partner continued to subject her to “constant mental and physical abuse”. During one episode in autumn 2024, it was reported that Randles “doused her with a bucket of water mixed with bleach”, causing swelling around her eyes.
In January this year, she reportedly confronted him after discovering him viewing explicit content on his mobile phone in the living room. In response, he punched her at the back of her head, knocking her unconscious before kicking her as she lay helpless on the floor, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The pair later dined out at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day, but Randles refused to engage in conversation with her during the meal and seemingly became infuriated by her interaction with another man. This resulted in him punching her at the back of her head and eye before strangling her, leaving her gasping for air and feeling as if she was about to faint.
Later that same month, Randles answered his front door wielding a machete, causing her to “flee in panic”.
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Prosecutor Charlotte Kenny read out a statement to the court on behalf of the victim yesterday, Wednesday, in which she said: “I wake up in pain every day, not only from the discomfort of my life lasting injuries but also the pain in my head and anxiety in the pit of my stomach.
“My eyes are red raw from the little sleep I get. I’m a mother who should be able to keep up with her children, yet I’m struggling to even walk up the stairs. This man’s actions and controlling ways have left me a shell of a woman. I used to be confident and bubbly. I was happy, I was me. Christopher stripped me of every enjoyable aspect of my life.
“I’m a nervous wreck. The night Christopher was remanded into custody was the first night I slept properly in as long as I can remember. I knew he couldn’t get to me and couldn’t hurt me. I still sleep in fear that he could send someone to my address.
“Constant comments about my appearance have left me with very little confidence, if any at all. Christopher would always comment about stretch marks on my stomach. How cruel can one person be?”
“Every day, I’m scared. I jump when the doorbell goes. My family are worried. They try to reassure me that my life will get better, but I just can’t see how. Every scar on my body is a reminder of domestic abuse. That man is the definition of a narcissist, a serial domestic abuser.”
Randles has previous convictions for crimes including inflicting grievous bodily harm, in which he left the victim with a fractured jaw after booting them in the face, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Robert Wyn Jones, defending, told the court: “At the time of his arrest, he was living at his own address. He had a business buying and selling cars and is a qualified tiler. He largely kept himself to himself, but was in this relationship which was, on any view, problematic, and he behaved badly within it, which he accepts.
“There is some contrition, some insight, some regret for the hurt that he has caused. He accepts his own responsibility for reacting badly and criminally, causing these difficulties and harm, which he does regret.”
Randles was convicted of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and possession of a bladed article in a public place by a jury. He appeared via video link to HMP Liverpool, donned in a black Berghaus t-shirt, and was sentenced to four years in prison and given an indefinite restraining order.
In his sentencing remarks, Judge David Potter stated: “She was made to feel worthless by your behaviour. She was constantly belittled by your comments about her and you accusing her of being a sex worker. Your constant, paranoid demands to know where she was and with whom made her depressed, emotionally drained and anxious.
“She was left battered, seriously bruised and in incredible pain. After a disastrous Valentine’s Night, during which you humiliated her in the restaurant, you violently assaulted her again.
“She has been left in chronic physical pain and mental anxiety. Your relationship has had a dramatic impact on her, bearing physical and mental scars. She describes herself as a shell of what she was.
“I note that you are showing some insight into your behaviour. You have begun to accept your behaviour and regret of it. I accept that your own issues have contributed towards your offending behaviour, but you accept that you reacted badly and unlawfully.”
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