Peter Melia (Image: Cheshire Police)
A woman who was brutally assaulted by her “monster” ex-boyfriend has issued a chilling warning that “his next victim might not be so lucky”. Peter Melia turned violent when his partner refused to perform degrading sexual acts and objected to her vaping, leading to a horrifying pattern of domestic abuse.
In fear for her life during one particularly brutal attack, the mum even resorted to ‘playing dead’. She now suffers panic attacks “every time she sees a white BMW”, as a result of his crimes, having been left “shaking” and with her “heart pounding” following an unexpected encounter with her abuser in a pub. Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday, June 25, how Melia, 40, began a relationship with the woman in July 2021. The relationship quickly spiralled into a cycle of “abuse and control on the part of the defendant”.
Ken Grant, prosecuting, described how Melia, of Poplars Avenue in Orford, Warrington, forced her to change her profile picture on social media to one which included him, dictating what she should wear and “isolating her from her friends” by insisting that she was “only allowed to go out with him”. Melia also demanded access to footage from CCTV cameras at her home address and prohibited her from speaking to the father of her children, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In one shocking incident around Christmas 2022, he reportedly asked her to perform an indecent act during intimacy. When she declined, he struck her in the face with the back of his hand, causing her to tumble into a fireplace, before grabbing one of her children’s toys and “smashing it to pieces”. Another assault occurred on holiday when Melia made a similar request. After being refused again, he punched her in the face.
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During a separate trip to Poland, he took offence at his partner liking a friend’s picture on Facebook. This resulted in him slapping her across the face and jabbing her in the stomach. On January 7, 2024, a row broke out after Melia discovered she had been using an e-cigarette, something he was strongly against. Following an evening out, he allegedly attacked her, seizing her by the throat and punching her in the side of the face, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Later, after she labelled him a monster for his actions, he reportedly assaulted her again, pinning her down with his knees on her chest and attempting to strangle her. During this attack, Melia is also said to have tried to bite her nose. In a harrowing statement read out in court, the victim recounted how one brutal attack by Melia left her with clumps of hair torn out, stating: “Psychologically, this has had a huge impact on me. I felt like I wasn’t able to do anything. I felt like I had to run everything past him and get his permission for things such as wanting to go and see my friends and family or when I wanted a night out.”
She continued, expressing the loss of her identity due to fear: “I felt like I wasn’t able to be me. I completely lost who I was, because I was always in fear of the consequences if I didn’t do what he wanted me to.” The chilling detail of her survival tactic emerged as she said, ‘I had to play dead in the hope that he would stop. ‘ The victim also detailed the ongoing psychological trauma, including anxiety and hair loss, exacerbated by a terrifying encounter with Melia at a pub which made her feel “sick” and forced her to leave.
She further described the devastating effect of the abuse: “It broke me down into a person I didn’t even recognise,” and shared the terrifying ordeal of her last assault, saying, “The last time he assaulted me, I genuinely believed I was going to die. I had to play dead in the hope that he would stop. Luckily for me, he did. But his next victim might not be so lucky.” Despite the end of their relationship, she explained that rebuilding her life with her children remains a challenge as Melia’s control “still affects me”, recounting a panic-inducing moment upon seeing a white BMW, reminiscent of her abuser’s vehicle.
Her immediate reaction was to inhale the smoke and drop her vape in panic, thinking it was him. The sight of a white BMW still triggers panic attacks for her, she confessed. Melia’s criminal past reveals four prior convictions from 2002, including a stint of 31 months in prison in 2017 for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to kill against another ex-partner. Jim Smith, defending, shared a heartfelt letter from his client with the court: “I’m writing this letter to apologise and to express my sincere remorse.
“I’m disgusted by my behaviour and utterly ashamed of myself. I know there are no words and no apology can take back what happened, but I want you to know I’m truly sorry to her, her family and friends. Nobody should have to go through anything like that, ever. I hope and pray that she finds peace and heals.”
Melia admitted “It was the biggest mistake” of his life, acknowledging he had failed his family and children. He detailed the positive changes he’s made, such as quitting alcohol and embracing meditation, yoga, and sound baths, while seeking out more positive influences.
Reflecting on witnessing his father’s violence towards his mother as a child, Melia pledged to abstain from alcohol and expressed his desire for his children to be proud of him. He expressed remorse, saying: “I will forever by ashamed and embarrassed. I’ve turned my life around and plan to be a better father, son and person in general.” During the trial, Melia was visibly emotional, often seen wiping away tears. His statement also touched on the harrowing impact of his own father’s alcohol-fuelled violence.
Throughout the proceedings, Melia frequently dabbed at his eyes with a tissue. Mr Smith spoke of Melia’s efforts to overcome his issues, stating: “Your honour will see the better side to the defendant and the qualities that he does possess. He is somebody who is respected and valued within his family. He is in full time employment. He has always worked and always been industrious. He is starting on that long road to recovery.”
Melia pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour, assault causing actual bodily harm, and intentional strangulation. Upon receiving a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence and a five-year restraining order, he nodded and gratefully said “thank you”.
In sentencing, Recorder Louis Browne KC emphasised the lasting trauma inflicted on Melia’s ex-partner, stating: “Whatever the position might be now, it is quite clear that these offences have had a lasting effect on your former partner. She describes you behaving in a violent and bullying way, which is completely unacceptable. I very much hope that, after your release, you will continue to behave as you have described in your letter and that you will learn from this experience and not behave in this way again.”