Man Jailed for Shocking Domestic Violence Campaign

The victim of a dangerous violent domestic abuser said she was sickened by him as he was sentenced to two years in prison, claiming he laughed in the dock when he was told he would be locked up.

Mark Sell of Grove Street, Lisburn, but originally from the Twinbrook area of West Belfast, received a four-year sentence at Craigavon Crown Court on Thursday, June 12, after pleading guilty to a campaign of abuse and violence against a former partner, serving two of those years in prison.

He admitted to improper use of a computer device, threats to kill, criminal damage, assault causing actual bodily harm, and domestic abuse offenses against the woman on dates between August 2022 and January 2024. He originally faced other charges which included non-fatal strangulation, dangerous driving, and threatening behavior, however, these were left on the books following his guilty plea in court.

Speaking to his victim said she was sick with nerves ahead of the sentencing fearing that he could walk free. She said that when he received his sentence he laughed.
The court heard how he had attacked her on a number of occasions, including while they were on holiday in Turkey where he attacked her after she had attempted to leave him due to his behavior towards her. He would then go on to cut the cables of her electrical appliances and urinate on her clothes and luggage.

On another occasion he assaulted her before holding her under a cold shower and only stopped his attack after she vomited blood. Following the sentencing, she said: "It was awful, I was expecting him to be on video link and he walked in I near died, and when he got sentenced he just laughed. It sickened me watching him."

"He had told me that nobody would ever believe me and I thought that he was going to get off with the time he has already served, but it is disgusting to think he could be out by Christmas." Following Sell's guilty plea at a previous hearing she said: "This man is a danger to every woman and I am just glad that he is going to be convicted for what he has done. Everyone needs to be aware of what this man is like and the risk that he poses to women."

"I will be traumatized until my last breath due to what he did to me, and I don't think the fear will ever leave me."