'I hope you get raped and die of cancer': Woman beater battered partner after she said she was leaving him

A thug launched a vile rant at his ex-partner after punching her in the face telling her: “I hope you get raped and get cancer and die".

Ray Downes, 47, who had previous convictions for being violent towards women, had been in a relationship with his latest victim for around three years. However, things took a turn in October 2019, and she described him as a ‘ticking time bomb’ with anger problems.

The victim had been visiting her mum when she received a worried call from a neighbour telling her that her two dogs had escaped and were in the street, Manchester Crown Court heard. She rushed home and confronted Downes.

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She reached her ‘final straw’ and told him the relationship was over and that he needed to leave. They began arguing, with Downes becoming more aggressive and clenching his first.

Peter Malone, prosecuting, said: “She described him as suddenly punching her to the face. She tried to cover herself to prevent further blows but he struck her again.

“He then grabbed her by the throat and pressed her against the wall. She was fearful she was going to lose consciousness and managed to hit him with a vape device causing him to release his grip on her.”

The woman called 999 who advised her to go into another room, but he grabbed her by the upper arms and pushed her back against the wall. She eventually managed to get away and locked herself in the kitchen after being punched by him again in the chest and shoulder.

During the struggle he shouted abuse at her, including: “I hope you get raped and die of cancer.”

She was left with bruising to her head, neck and arms, and was said to feel vulnerable because of her