Homeless former soldier assaulted partner in Colchester

Lee Dilger, 30, rose to the rank of Corporal in the Parachute Regiment, seeing combat in Afghanistan in 2010, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The court was told he joined up at the age of 16, but turned to drink to cope following a particularly “messy” tour.

Dilger’s barrister Tom Worden told a judge his client was on patrol three times a day, with “firefights on each and every one of those patrols”.

“He tells me some friends didn’t come back, others were severely injured,” he said.

Mr Worden said his abuse of alcohol following his time in the armed forces “underlies” his treatment of a former partner in Colchester in October and November last year.

'Abusive'

The court heard in October, while on bail having been arrested by police following allegations of physical abuse, he took advantage of her good nature.

Judge David Pugh said: “Because she knew you were homeless and was concerned for your welfare she encouraged a breach of that bail and you moved back.

“You were abusive towards her, she kicked you out of the house, you climbed onto the roof and tried to enter the house through the rear, breaking the conservatory doors.”

On November 11, he again began verbally abusing the victim, before pushing her, “using force”, to her throat area.

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On November 18, there was a further verbal onslaught, underlined by Dilger’s regular “obsessive” accusations of infidelity.

Judge Pugh said: “You pushed her away, which caused her to fall to the floor.”

On November 19, Dilger grabbed the victim by her upper arms and hurled further abuse.

Finally, on November 21, following further insults, the victim turned Dilger away from her home.

Ipswich Crown Court

He responded by headbutting a glass window on her door, causing it to break.

The judge said the victim’s statements to the police and in court, coupled with the transcript of her 999 call made it clear the incidents caused her significant distress.

In court, the victim fought back tears as she recounted how Dilger’s abuse had ruined her self-esteem, leaving her feeling humiliated and scared.

She said: “He used various emotional blackmail techniques. He was deeply paranoid I was unfaithful, this was the core of the abuse.

“I couldn’t understand it, because I loved Lee.”

Dilger, of no fixed address, admitted three counts of assault by beating and two counts of criminal damage.

In mitigation, Mr Worden said his client had a high-level of motivation to avoid the use of alcohol in the future.

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He said Dilger had undertaken a drink awareness course and hoped to find a job in bricklaying upon his release.

Judge Pugh found Dilger’s offending was aggravated by his “excessive” drinking and the victim’s vulnerability in her own home.

The court heard Dilger has a previous conviction for harassment against a woman in 2017.

Judge Pugh said: “One thing which service in the armed forces should teach you is that the use of force should be controlled.

“Clearly when you are in drink that learning is lost. This was a series of offending behaviour against [the victim] based on your unjustified and obsessive jealousy and it was fuelled by your excessive consumption of alcohol.”

He was sentenced to 63 weeks imprisonment and hit with a restraining order banning contact with the victim.