FREDDY SMITH/CAMPBELL – GATESHEAD, TYNE AND WEAR

Jan 2026 –

Man jailed after forcing partner to drink his blood during violent abuse campaign – while she was pregnant

A man has been jailed for a sustained campaign of violent and degrading abuse against his partner, during which he used multiple weapons and subjected her to severe physical and psychological harm.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Freddy Smith, also known as Freddy Campbell, carried out a series of attacks on the woman over a period of time. Prosecutor Joe Hedworth told the court that the victim described a change in his behaviour, referring to him as becoming “Bad Freddy”.

The defendant was said to have used a range of weapons to assault her, including a razor blade, a sword, a weight-lifting pole, a ceramic mug and a metal pole. On one occasion, he threw a mug which struck her elbow and caused an injury. Weeks later, he bought a sword online and used it to stab her in the lower leg and foot, causing heavy bleeding.

The court also heard that during another attack he smashed a glass bottle onto her finger, leaving bruising. While the victim was heavily pregnant, he used a razor blade to cut her thigh while she was in the shower, leaving a deep wound. She later said the injury was so severe that fat tissue was visible.

Mr Hedworth said that during one incident the defendant threatened to cut her throat and forced her to go outside naked in the cold. On a separate occasion, he struck her on the back of the head with a metal pole, causing a cut. During another attack, he told her she had “walked into a beating”, struck her again with a metal object and repeatedly punched her until she described the pain as “500 out of 10”.

The court was told that he manipulated and controlled her, forced her to drink his blood, made her go outside naked in the dark and cold, and made her write that she would sell images of her naked body for money. He also prevented her from leaving his home until her injuries had healed enough to be concealed.

In her victim impact statement, the woman said she lived in constant fear and was always on edge. She recalled being asked by police to describe the pain she felt during the assaults, saying it was “so bad you think you’re already dead”. She told the court she now has scars across her body and remains mentally traumatised by what she endured.

Judge Tim Gittins said the violence was “gratuitous” and told the defendant that his partner had feared him “with every bone in her body”. He sentenced him to six years in prison with a three-year extended licence period, stating that he posed a risk of serious violence and serious harm to others.

Campbell, 24, of East Lea, Gateshead, admitted controlling and coercive behaviour, four charges of assault, one charge of non-fatal strangulation, unlawful wounding and wounding with intent.

Sue Hirst, defending, told the court that the defendant had mental health problems, was now older and more mature, and had not previously been in trouble.