Gangster who bullied model girlfriend until she suffered brain damage trying to kill herself is jailed for nearly five years

A 'smiling devil monster' who abused his model girlfriend and drove her to attempt suicide which left her brain damaged has been jailed.John Gizzi, 55, bullied and controlled Natasha Farah in a series of 'humiliating' abuse and violence which tore away at her self worth, Mold Crown Court heard.The mixed martial arts fighter often subjected her to public beatings like when he hit her at a busy gym and threw a 'heavy dumbbell' at her.He also repeatedly punched her in a busy car park while she was strapped into a seatbelt and unable to escape.Gizzi repeatedly accused the mother-of-one of being unfaithful, called her a s**g and tried to control what she wore.The gangster assaulted her on Valentine's Day, Boxing Day and Mother's Day with Natasha telling him she had 'no happy memories' of landmark days.In vile messages he told her to 'do us all a favour' and take her own life.Ms Farah was found hanged by a dressing gown cord with Gizzi calling emergency services. The incident has left her suffering with severe brain damage.She now sheds tears while unable to move or speak as she is trapped in her own body, her sister Samantha said in court. Natasha Farrah attempted suicide which left her brain damaged after her boyfriend encouraged her to take her life Gizzi repeatedly accused mother-of-one of being unfaithful, called her a s**g and tried to control what she wore John Gizzi, 55, has been jailed after he bullied and controlled his girlfriend in a series of 'humiliating' abuse and violence which tore away at her self worth, Mold Crown Court heardSpeaking in court, Judge Simon Mills marked the case as 'one of the worst of coercive control, in the context of domestic abuse, that can be contemplated'. In a mobile phone video played to the court Gizzi was heard making chilling threats to Natasha saying: 'I will f***** end you.' Gizzi attacked Samantha, strangling her when she tried to intervene during a confrontation in a pub.He also rammed her in a 4X4 and threatened to 'put her in a hole' as she defended her sister.Gizzi, who admitted charges of coercive and controlling behaviour and intentional strangulation, appeared at Mold Crown Court via video link. Natasha's mother Denise described Gizzi as a 'smiling devil monster' as she begged the judge to 'make an example' of him.She said: 'My daughter has been left brain damaged because of this man, because of this monster, who won't stand before us today.'The harrowing emotional effect this has had on me is the stuff of extreme nightmares.'All of our precious lives will never, ever be the same again.' Talking outside court to local press, Samantha went on to speak of her family's 'nightmare' ordeal and her disappointment at Gizzi's sentencingSamantha said in a victim impact statement: 'Tasha is severely brain damaged - trapped in her own body. I see a sad desperately frightened little girl. But she cannot do anything about this.'She cries real tears but can never make a sound, and no-one can understand that except her family.'There's no sentence that can give us the life we had, give me back my sister and the life we were supposed to share with her.'Justice has to be served. Without it we will not start to heal as a family.'Mold Crown Court heard the assaults happened on multiple occasions, including in July and December last year, and on February 13, March 15 and in July of this year. Gizzi admitted to using coercive and controlling behaviour against Natasha between March 1, 2025 and April 8, 2026.He also pleaded guilty to failing to disclose a mobile phone's PIN to police on April 27, 2026.He further admitted intentional strangulation against Samantha on April 3 this year for grabbing her neck in a pub.Gizzi was jailed today for four years and 11 months. Natasha's mother Denise described Gizzi as a 'smiling devil monster' as she begged the judge to 'make an example' of himJudge Simon Mills said he could not sentence Gizzi for Natasha's current condition but if 'further evidence came to light' a police investigation could begin.He told him: 'You're never going to be forgiven for what people believe you did to her. This will follow you forever.'The judge was applauded by the public gallery as he told Gizzi: 'If ever people were once afraid of you, it is very clear they are no longer and they are willing to stand up to you.''This is one of the worst cases of coercive control, in the context of domestic abuse, that can be contemplated.'You would use dreadful, misogynistic, and sexist language towards her on a frequent basis.'Language like this is serious, because it's part of the process of humiliating and belittling a person, destroying their sense of self-worth.'Duncan Bould, mitigating, said: 'He's a father and has an excellent work history mostly in the construction industry.'He has a long standing association with sport, particularly jujitsu in which he has gained personal and structural benefits. He does not drink alcohol or take drugs.'Speaking outside court to local press, Samantha went on to speak of her family's 'nightmare' ordeal and her disappointment at Gizzi's sentencing.She said: 'I'm quite disappointed with the sentencing, I wish he had been given the full time. 'He's got the chance to be out in two years. It's terrifying for me, I'm not feeling settled after coming here today to be honest.'I can't quite believe I'm here, I feel like I'm in a nightmare. It just doesn't feel real.'She added: 'I wanted for him to hear the pain in my voice and I wanted to do it for my sister. I felt it had to come from me.'The father is an infamous ex-gangster who has previously been jailed over a string of crimes in the Welsh seaside town of Rhyl.He drove a Bentley worth around £100,000 and would often wear a Rolex.He was jailed in 2006 for beating up two homeless men with a wooden stave, and released after three years of a five-and-a-half year sentence.But in 2011 he was jailed for 11 years after admitting conspiring to bring cocaine into Wales.For confidential support, call Samaritans for free on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support