Abuser who stabbed doorbell camera jailed

Jonny ManningNorth East and Cumbria
News imageCumbria Police Daniel Lytollis filmed by a doorbell camera. He is wearing a red shirt which is unbuttoned revealing his chest. He has brown messy hair and is staring wide-eyed into the camera.Cumbria Police
Daniel Lytollis's actions led to his victim reporting years of abuse to the police

An abusive man's history of coercive and controlling behaviour was revealed after he was caught repeatedly stabbing a doorbell camera.

Daniel Lytollis's went armed with a knife to a home in Carlisle where his partner was and attacked the camera on the front door.

When his victim contacted the police she also reported years of abuse at his hands which she had captured in messages, voicemails and videos.

Lytollis, 35, of Graham Street, Carlisle, was sentenced to two years and 10 months' imprisonment after admitting several offences at the city's crown court, including possession of weapons and drugs.

Det Con Karen Minnion, from Cumbria Police, said Lytollis's abusive behaviour extended to following his partner to work and making her take pictures of her milage to show how far she had travelled.

"Lytollis subjected the victim to various threats, controlling behaviour and caused damage to the victim's property," Minnion said.

"This case highlights how behaviours can escalate and we would encourage anyone who has been victim to a domestic offence to contact police so that our officers can investigate."

News imageCumbria Police Black and white footage from a doorbell camera showing Daniel Lytollis about to strike the equipment with a knife. He is slightly blurred through motion and has gritted teeth,Cumbria Police
Daniel Lytollis was filmed repeatedly stabbing a doorbell camera

Police arrested Lytollis at his home and suspected he may have been drinking and driving, but said he refused to provide a breath test.

A search of the property uncovered weapons, including a machete, and cocaine.

One video submitted to police, filmed by Lytollis, showed him with a knife in his pocket. He also left multiple threatening voicemails on the victim's phone.

A judge at Carlisle Crown Court jailed Lytollis who pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour, criminal damage, two weapons charges, failure to provide a breath test and possession of class A drugs.

He was also handed a five-year restraining order and a 25-month driving ban.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.

Related internet links