'Powerfully-built' bully battered girlfriend in Shropshire corner shop and assaulted policemen in booze- and drug-fuelled rampage

• Don’t miss any of the latest news and breaking stories from Shropshire. Get the latest headlines wherever you are with our free daily newsletter sent directly to your inbox

It took four police officers to restrain the rampaging 32-year-old, who called them “c***s” as he thrashed around.

The violent incident was described as “terrifying” by the shopkeeper who witnessed it.

Shrewsbury Crown Court, sitting at Telford Magistrates Court, was told on Monday (June 2) how Morris went berserk on October 31 last year.

He first behaved aggressively at home, pulling the victim’s hair, before ordering her to go out and do some shopping.

Morris followed her to the shop and made false claims to the shopkeeper that his girlfriend had stolen his card.

Then Morris punched and kicked her. The victim’s ex-partner, who lived near the shop and was in the area, witnessed Morris “kick her head like a football”.

Morris then turned his attention to her former partner, following him home and kicking the door while shouting: “Open the f***ing door, I’ll f***ing kill you!” The man phoned the police while trying to hold the door shut and keep Morris at bay.

Meanwhile, Morris’ girlfriend was in the corner shop and told the shopkeeper: “He’s going to come in and get me.” The shopkeeper also phoned the police, but Morris soon returned.

CCTV footage showed him punching the door and looming over his girlfriend, who was on the floor.

Injuries she suffered at the hands of Morris included pain to her head, nose and legs, as well as bruising and abrasions all over her body.

Morris knocked over a magazine stand and food items and could be seen on CCTV slamming the door twice.

Policemen then arrived on the scene. Footage showed the first officer using PAVA incapacitant spray on Morris, who then swung a wild punch which missed.

The pair grappled, bashing into shelves and displays in the shop.

Three more officers burst through the door and together they tried to pull Morris to the ground to restrain him.

Morris continued to be abusive when he was taken to hospital. Over the course of the incident, he spat at two officers, headbutted another and punched one in the eye.

He caused around £400 of damage at the corner shop. The shopkeeper described the incident as “terrifying” and said she was “traumatised”. She said Morris caused her daughter to suffer a panic attack.

The ex of Morris’ girlfriend, who Morris threatened to kill while kicking his front door, said he felt “scared” by what happened and “doesn’t want him anywhere near my home”.

After he was arrested, Morris was interviewed by police. He answered “no comment” to questions.

Morris, of Weston Close, Morda, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, four of assault by beating of an emergency worker and two of criminal damage.

He has eight previous convictions for 16 offences, including wounding, outraging public decency and assaulting police officers.

Danny Smith, mitigating, said Morris has sobered up since being in custody. He added that Morris, who was a self-employed ground worker, had turned to alcohol and drugs due to the stress of losing £30,000 that was owed to him by a company that went bust.

Mr Smith also said: “He is still in a relationship with her [the victim]. She has been contacting him in prison, despite being told not to.

“He is truly sorry for his behaviour towards members of the public and to her.”

Judge Trevor Meegan handed Morris a 16-month jail term, with half to be served behind bars before he is released on licence.

However, given Morris has already spent seven months in prison on remand, it is expected he will be released from prison in around a month.

The judge issued a restraining order, banning him from contacting his girlfriend’s ex.