The founder of a mental health charity has been jailed after he pushed his girlfriend down the stairs and attacked her car with an axe as she sheltered inside it. Paul Edmundson founded Men's Mental Health Warriors to support men who were contemplating suicide but blamed his own behaviour on a condition called 'pathological jealousy'.
He is a YouTube fitness guru, personal trainer and boxing coach who ran his own business in Devon. His YouTube videos including one about basic boxing techniques.
His attack left his partner so traumatised that she has had to give up her job as a primary school teacher and move to a different area to get away from him and her memories of his domestic violence. She was attacked twice during her short relationship with Edmundson, who knocked her over so violently in the first assault that he broke her sternum.
Who is Paul Edmundson? The full story behind the shamed mental health 'warrior' turned violent attacker
He punched and kicked her during the second assault and pushed her down the stairs of his home before bundling her out of the front door and throwing her belongings out after her. She took refuge in her car and was about to drive off but he armed himself with an axe and followed her before smashing the windscreen and driver's window and showering her with broken glass.
Edmundson, aged 38, of Kingskerswell, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, battery, criminal damage and possession of an axe in a public place and was jailed for two years by Judge David Evans at Exeter Crown Court. He imposed a three-year restraining order and told him: "As she took refuge, you approached her vehicle with an axe to damage her car and enhance the fear that your behaviour had already caused her.
"This was a prolonged and persistent assault which caused serious psychological harm. I bear in mind your personality disorder and your pathological jealousy, which may have affected your understanding of the harm you have caused.
"There is clear mitigation in the positive contribution you have made to society and the local community through the charity you set up."
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Miss Beth Rickerby, prosecuting, said the first assault happened in March last year when the victim tried to walk past Edmundson during an argument and he pushed her backwards forcefully, leading her to fall and break her sternum. They remained together and she was at his house on November 21 and he became angry and jealous and punched her in the chest before dragging her around by her hair and pushing her down the stairs.
He stamped on her or kicked her as she lay at the bottom of the stairs and then threw her out and threw her belongings out the front door. She went to her car but before she could drive away he followed with an axe and smashed the windows and bodywork, causing £5,597 damage.
The victim's impact statement said Edmundson had been volatile and unpredictable and she is now terrified of him. She had to take time off work because she was worried about bursting into tears in front of the children and has now decided to give up her job and move away from the area.
Miss Evie Dean, defending, said Edmundson was a valued member of the community who had set up the MMH Warriors charity. He has his own mental health and has been diagnosed with a personality disorder and pathological jealousy.
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