A bullying boyfriend who admitted unlawfully wounding a woman he had met online has been banned from going on all dating websites.
Karl Crimmins, 29, of Bedwas, was outlawed from online dating sites such as Match.com and eHarmony.co.uk by the judge at Cardiff Crown Court.
Judge William Gaskell warned Crimmins he could face jail if he tries to join any more dating sites to find new women – after hearing he had assaulted a string of unsuspecting women.
He told him: “You are not fit to be on a dating site or in any relationship.
“Women would have nothing to do with you if they knew they were contacting a serial abuser.”
Crimmins has a criminal record of a series of assaults on women after striking up relationships.
Qualified fitter Crimmins pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Tina Evans in January this year – four months after meeting her through a dating site.
Prosecutor John Lloyd said Crimmins complained about needing car repairs when she made a joke – and he punched her in the eye.
Mr Lloyd said: “She needed hospital treatment and the split above her right eye had to be stitched.”
Cardiff Crown Court heard that in 2008 Crimmins had assaulted a woman at Bedwas by pulling her hair and punching and grabbing her by the throat.
Then in 2009 he grabbed a woman around the neck as she was holding a young baby in Caerphilly.
Mr Lloyd said: “Three more offences of assault were in 2010 when a woman was punched and a five-year-old child had a towel placed around his neck before he was pulled off a chair, causing bruising.
In 2011 Crimmins was back before another court for what was described as an “incident” with a partner at Bridgend.
Mr Lloyd said: “They had a verbal argument over his driving and when they got home he pushed her into a cupboard under the stairs and closed the door.
“That was in October and in December he was in another argument with her when he put his arm around her neck and held her in a headlock, restricting her breathing and causing her to vomit.”
Judge Gaskell said a point had been made that Crimmins managed to stay out of trouble from that time until this year.
But he told him: “It really shows how utterly contemptible you are if that is thought to be an achievement.”
Crimmins’ solicitor Edward Mitchared described him as “a man who had a problem with women”.
He said: “He’s a misogynist who needs to change his ways.”
Mr Mitchard said the prospect for future partners had to be considered – and the risk to them would be reduced if Crimmins went on a special programme.
Judge Gaskell said the programmes had failed in 2008 and 2009 but agreed the court had a public duty to try again.
The judge said: “I am not unduly optimistic but this behaviour has to stop.”
He imposed a four-month night-time curfew “to curtail your social life” – and made a restraining order to keep him away from any dating site.
“It is necessary to protect those who may be at risk of violence from you,” he said.
Crimmins was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years with supervision after he pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding.
He ordered Crimmins to complete 250 hours unpaid work and attend a ‘Building better relationships’ course.
The judge told him: “What happened to Ms Evans was that she fell into a relationship with you while you are quite unfit to have a relationship with anyone.
“She put her trust in a violent man who likes hitting women.”