A violent domestic abuser who broke into his ex-partner’s home and subjected her to a horrific attack that left her with a fractured eye socket has been jailed for ten years after a Durham Crown Court jury took just 40 minutes to convict him.
Joseph Coils, 23, of Stanley, carried out the brutal assault on the woman at her home in Shildon in the early hours of December 1 last year, dragging her from her bed by her hair and attempting to gouge her eyes out “so she could not see another man”.
The attack occurred just 13 days after Coils had been released from prison following a previous assault on the same victim, demonstrating what police called “utter contempt for the justice system”. The violence unfolded in front of the couple’s three-year-old son, who hid terrified under his bed covers as his father attacked his mother.
Durham Crown Court heard how Coils broke into the woman’s home while she was sleeping, before launching the sustained assault. The 23-year-old punched his victim repeatedly and attempted to gouge out her eyes during the attack, which left her with a fractured eye socket amongst other injuries.
Police officers rushed to the property after being alerted by a concerned neighbour who heard the disturbance. They arrested Coils at the scene and took him into custody, where he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and breaching a restraining order that had previously been put in place to protect the victim.
While Coils admitted to breaching the restraining order, he denied causing grievous bodily harm. However, following a trial at Durham Crown Court, a jury rejected his defence and took just 40 minutes to find him guilty of the offence. He was sentenced to ten years in prison last Friday, August 22.
The victim’s harrowing impact statement revealed the terror she experienced during the attack and her ongoing fear of Coils. If they had not come, who knows what may have happened to me,” she said of the police response. “He was telling me he wanted me to die, and I genuinely thought that I was going to die.”
She described how Coils’ campaign of abuse had devastated her life: “Ever since we separated, he will not leave me alone to get on with my life. He has ruined my life, my face is a mess from him, I have scars from being assaulted, and I honestly believe he will try and kill me at some point.”
The woman expressed her conviction that Coils would continue to pose a threat, stating: “I know that he will ignore any conditions or orders imposed on him and will try and find out where I am as soon as he is able to do so, then who knows what will happen to me.”
She added: “I do not know what more I can do to be able to get on with my life. I am only able to find some peace and solace while he is in prison as I know he cannot find me or do anything to me.”
Detective Constable Dave Taylor from South Durham CID, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s courage in standing up to her abuser. “Coils is a dangerous offender who has shown utter contempt for the justice system by committing this offence just days after being released from prison and while subject to a restraining order,” he said.
“He committed an appalling and sustained attack on a young woman in her own home, a place where she and her little boy should be able to feel safe.”
DC Taylor commended the victim for her bravery throughout the investigation: “She has bravely stood up to Coils throughout the investigation and faced him at court to provide her evidence, which is not an easy thing to do at all and I commend her for showing such courage.”
The detective expressed hope that the substantial sentence would provide some comfort to the victim: “Hopefully the sentence imposed can provide her with some comfort and enable her to move forward with her life instead of constantly looking over her shoulder and living in fear of what Coils may do next.”
The case highlights the ongoing crisis of domestic violence in the UK, where statistics show a woman is killed on average every three days. According to the Office for National Statistics, an estimated 1.6 million women experienced domestic abuse in the year ending March 2024, with domestic homicides claiming 83 women’s lives during that period.
Women’s rights organisations report that the risk of serious assault and death is highest for women after they leave an abusive relationship, with many victims experiencing repeated violence despite protective orders being in place. The National Centre for Domestic Violence estimates that less than 24 per cent of domestic abuse cases are reported to police.
The case also underscores the traumatic impact of domestic violence on children. Research shows that witnessing domestic abuse can have severe and lasting psychological effects on young people, with many experiencing emotional, behavioural and developmental problems as a result.
Durham Constabulary has emphasised its commitment to supporting domestic abuse survivors and bringing perpetrators to justice. The force works with specialist domestic violence support services and has implemented measures including dedicated safeguarding teams to investigate such cases.
For anyone experiencing domestic abuse, support is available through the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247, which operates 24 hours a day. Local support services in County Durham can provide safe accommodation, legal advice and emotional support for survivors and their children.
The ten-year sentence handed to Coils reflects the seriousness with which the courts now treat domestic violence offences, particularly where restraining orders have been breached and children have witnessed the abuse. However, campaigners continue to call for stronger measures to protect victims and prevent repeat offending.
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