A violent bodybuilder has avoided a prison sentence after subjecting women to regular beatings, coercive control and strangulation.

James Francis, 50, formerly of Southport and now living in Crosby, received two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years at Liverpool Crown Court.

The court was told that Francis, who worked as an electrician for Dovehaven care homes, was a serial domestic abuser that had targeted and abused several females.

The reported strangulation conviction comes alongside separate offending including controlling or coercive behaviour, stalking, harassment, physical and psychological abuse.

Francis who is a regular steroid and cocaine user, was described as a manipulative liar and his outwardly friendly manner concealed his repeated abusive behaviour towards women.

Following Francis’s conviction, more women have come forward alleging that he subjected them to violence. They have voiced fears that he could pose a danger to future partners — concerns sharpened by the fact that he received a suspended sentence and avoided immediate imprisonment.

He left court without beginning a custodial sentence. Instead, his punishment included a three-month electronically monitored curfew from 9pm to 7am and 15 rehabilitation activity days.

A restraining order prohibits contact with the protected woman and remains in force until September 17, 2031.

A suspended sentence leaves Francis in the community, subject to restrictions. The restraining order provides a legal barrier against contact; it cannot erase the violence that led to the conviction.

Domestic abuse can leave victims living in fear long after a relationship ends. Physical injuries may heal, while anxiety, shame and shattered confidence remain. Some survivors struggle to sleep, concentrate, work or trust others. An unexpected message or a knock at the door can bring the fear flooding back.

Repeated humiliation, threats and control can make victims question their own judgement and feel trapped. Abuse can isolate them from friends and family, undermine their independence and leave them facing financial hardship.

Leaving does not always end the ordeal. Harassment, stalking or threats can continue, forcing survivors to change routines and rebuild their lives around staying safe. Children who witness abuse can also experience fear and distress.

The responsibility belongs entirely to the abuser. Survivors deserve to be believed, protected and supported — without being blamed for staying or pressured to recover on someone else’s timetable.