A man named Michael Keane has been sentenced at Douglas Courthouse after subjecting his girlfriend to repeated physical and emotional abuse. Keane, 38, has been jailed for two years and nine months for a series of violent acts against his partner. The court heard that Keane started verbally abusing his girlfriend just one month into their relationship and escalated to physical abuse over the next six months.
During the trial, it was revealed that Keane would physically assault his girlfriend and then force her to hide the bruises he inflicted on her. In a particularly alarming incident, he blocked the exit of her flat by placing a mattress against the front door to prevent her from leaving.
Deemster Graeme Cook, the presiding judge, described Keane’s treatment of the woman as “appalling” and “degrading,” emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim. The couple had met in October 2023 and initially split their time between Keane’s home in Liverpool and the victim’s residence on the island. However, Keane eventually moved in with her, leading to the escalation of the abusive behavior.
The abuse came to light in April 2024 when the victim managed to escape from the flat after being punched in the face by Keane. She reached out to her sister, who encouraged her to report the abuse to the authorities. Keane was subsequently arrested and violated his bail conditions by attempting to contact the victim and sending threatening messages.
In a victim impact statement, the woman expressed her shock and disbelief at the abuse she endured from someone she once trusted. Keane pleaded guilty to domestic abuse charges spanning from November 2023 to May 2024. Following his sentencing, the judge issued a restraining order preventing Keane from contacting or approaching the victim and an exclusion order barring him from the island for five years upon his release.
