Victoria O’Doherty was in a relationship with Mario Sassano for only a few months but during that time his behaviour became more obsessive and violent. He was consumed by jealously and accused her of cheating with an ex-partner, even going to the extreme of contacting him and threatening him.
Sassano would go through the 43-year-old’s phone and monitor where she was, while constantly trying distance her from her family and friends.
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He engineered arguments due to his unfounded suspicions and on one occasion dragged her by her hair, sat astride her and tied his dressing gown belt around her neck, just because he thought she had looked at another man while out shopping. Victoria was unable to breathe and thought she was going to die, but Sassano apologised and pleaded with her to forgive him.
Sassano had lost an ex-girlfriend in a drowning tragedy in Spain in 2015, and used this as excuse for his neediness, threatening suicide if Victoria left him, telling her his death would be her fault. He showered her with attention and told her they needed no-one but each other.
The relationship began in October 2020, but by January 2021 Victoria tried to end it. Sassano bombarded her with emails and constantly turned up at her home. During one encounter he dragged her from her car by her hair and then asked her to marry him!
Sassano resorted to bribery by paying her £10,000 not to tell police about the assaults, but Victoria transferred the money straight back and reported the abuse she had suffered.
Sassano was arrested in May last year and charged with assault and coercive control.
Victoria explained: “No other woman should ever have to suffer such horrendous, horrific abuse. Perpetrators isolate you making you feel alone. You are never alone. If you can find the courage, reach out to someone close and you won’t be judged.
