A FORMER hairdresser has bravely told of her ordeal at the hands of a violent boyfriend who strangled her until she passed out and locked her up for four days.

       Chillingly, vile Robert Dobson even told Chelsea Simms he'd dug her grave during a three-year campaign of abuse.

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       Chelsea Simms, 22, has told of her three-year ordeal at the hands of boyfriend Robert Dobson, 29 Credit: Facebook 4

       The former hairdresser bravely spoke after Dobson was jailed for a campaign of abuse against her Credit: Facebook

       Now Chelsea, 22 - who was told she couldn't contact her mum during her relationship with Dobson - has spoken out to encourage other victims to come forward.

       She told the Hull Daily Mail she lived in fear of Dobson between 2018 and 2020 after the thug threatened to kill her or hurt her colleagues.

       And in a direct message to others suffering in silence, she said: "It might seem really hard at the time but you need to put yourself first and be safe, because your life's more important than someone taking it away from you.

       "They might say they love you and things like that, but it doesn't work like that.

       "People don't want to hurt you if they love you."

       Chelsea met Dobson, of Selby, North Yorkshire through mutual friends.

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       And she said the first three months of their relationship was "the best thing".

       However, Dobson, 29, quickly began to control her.

       In his first fit of violence, he fractured Chelsea's cheekbone and eye socket - and went on to strangle her on five separate occasions, it's alleged.

       Six months in, he forced Chelsea to delete her social media accounts.

       "It got to the point of 'delete your mum's number, I don't want you texting your mum'," she said.

       But the situation only worsened.

       'I'VE DUG A HOLE FOR YOU'

       In one frightening incident, Dobson drove Chelsea to a remote area and told her he'd "dug a hole" for her.

       But cops only became involved when he allegedly locked her in the back of a van for four days after learning she'd got a new job as a shop assistant.

       Worried colleagues reported her missing to police.

       The relationship came to an end in February last year - but Dobson's threats only intensified, and he paid Chelsea's friend ￡50 to spy on her.

       However, Dobson is now finally facing justice. Last week, he was jailed for two years and ten months after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour.

       CLARE'S LAW

       Assault and false imprisonment charges will lie on file.

       Chelsea has urged anyone worried about a partner to contact the police under Clare's Law.

       The scheme allows the police to disclose information, on request, about a previous history of domestic violence.

       "The police will support everybody in asking if their partner has a violent history," said Chelsea.

       "If I knew this before I met him I wouldn’t have been in this situation, so I'd really like to emphasise this."

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       Dobson drove Chelsea to a remote location and said he'd dug a grave for her there Credit: MEN Media 4

       Now Chelsea has urged others in similar situations to seek help from police Credit: MEN Media How you can get help

       Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families

       Always keep your phone nearby. Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine. If you are in danger, call 999. Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”. Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare. If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone. Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.

       If you are a -victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s live chat support -service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week – victimsupport.org.uk/help-and-support/get-help/support-near-you/live-chat/

       Women’s Aid provides a live chat service - available every day from 10am-6pm.

       You can also call the freephone 24-hour -National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

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