Man jailed for family abuse of his ex-partner also assaulted her children

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The ex-partner of a brave Victorian woman who escaped horrific family violence also assaulted children, 9News can reveal.

Terry Phillips is in jail for attacking Nadine Hams, her 13-year-old daughter, and another female, and the British national could be deported when he is released.

Hams has shared more details about the assaults, threats, stalking and other violence she faced at the hands of 43-year-old Phillips.

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Last night she told 9News the pair had met online and quickly hit it off, but within months his controlling and violent behaviour started to emerge.

During a police interview, Phillips is shown pictures of Hams’ injuries, but he insisted to the officer in the room, “This is all made up crap”.

“(You) slammed her head backwards into the fridge, causing concave dents in the fridge,” the cop replied.

Terry Phillips family domestic violence Nadine Hams Victorian mother

Family violence is something police see all too often, however Hams’s case left an impact on the officers who helped catch her attacker.

“It took a lot of courage for Nadine to come forward,” one of the police who worked on her case said.

Phillips not only abused his partners, but unleashed on the children too. Even the family dog Laykn wasn’t spared from his rage, although he never faced animal cruelty charges.

“You used to get angry and kick the dog regularly with your steel cap boots,” an officer said during the police interview.

Police allege Phillips tormented multiple victims, and there could be more out there.

Phillips pleaded guilty to a long list of charges relating to Hams, her 13-year-old daughter, and another female victim.

Phillips was on bail for Nadine’s charges when he dated another woman and assaulted her.

The cases of two other alleged victims never made it to court but one of them claims she was so badly assaulted she’s too traumatised to lay charges and has since moved.

Phillips was sentenced to nine months and 21 days behind bars.

When he is released he’ll be placed on a 15 month community corrections order and required to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

“The justice system fails people,” Hams said.

Terry Phillips family domestic violence Nadine Hams Victorian motherTerry Phillips family domestic violence Nadine Hams Victorian mother

In 2009 Phillips was fined $1000 and avoided a conviction for punching a cleaner inside an elevator at Crown Casino.

He asked for directions to the Yarra River and the cleaner apologised saying he didn’t know, so Philips unleashed.

“He seems to have a pattern of behaviour, I don’t think he’ll change” Hams said.

Despite what’s happened Hams is now working as a first responder helping others in the community.

“I’ve got three sons, I didn’t want them to think this was normal to go and do this to their girlfriends.”