[A] JURY in the trial of a man who denies “controlling” and repeatedly assaulting his former partner has retired to consider its verdicts.
Andrzej Fijalkowski, 35, has been on trial at Carlisle Crown Court. He denies one charge which alleges his use of controlling or coercive behaviour during a 19-month period while living with his then girlfriend in Penrith. He further denies four alleged assaults on his now ex-partner – three of which are said to have caused her actual bodily harm.
The woman alleges that separate attacks by Fijalkowski – her then partner – left her bleeding from her nose and ear. In a police interview, she stated: “I was afraid that he will kill me.”
But giving evidence, Fijalkowski, of Pategill Road, Penrith, described her allegations as “pure lies”. When quizzed about one alleged assault, he replied: “I did not. It is incorrect. I never assaulted her at all.”
Having heard all evidence in the case, jurors listened to closing speeches, and a judge’s summing-up this afternoon (MON), before retiring to begin their deliberations.
