IT never ceases to astound us how often we, as reporters, have to deal not only with criminals but with the anger of those who love them.

Not long ago I was on the phone to a man who was threatening to ‘come down here and punch the walls down’ because we had published a story about him being in court, while his ex girlfriend (who he was not supposed to contact) backed him up, threatening to 'sue us'.

This week we reported how a different man has breached a restraining order imposed after smashing the windows of his girlfriend’s car. Despite this, she still loves him and wants the restraining order lifted.

Billy Watts had also been bombarding her with phone calls and, almost comically, jumped out of a bush one day to confront her.

I say 'almost' comically because he had already been given an order for battery and possession of an offensive weapon. He is not exactly a real catch.

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It's so hard to understand why a woman would want a man who adds so much stress to her life, just through his own poor decision making and anger.

There are around 50,000 men in Worcester, so it's hard to know why you would pick one who smashes cars when there are so many more men around who don't smash up cars.

Unfortunately, women in toxic relationships convince themselves that the man only behaves like a total plank because he loves her and often believe that he will change.

Soon this hope turns to desperation that he will so she doesn’t have to feel trapped.

But the reality is most of these type of reoffenders do not change. We see them in court all the time. They get caught, say they are sorry, then are back three weeks later. But some women still feel the need to ‘stand by their man,’ whatever they have done.

In some ways this might be seen as applaudable. strong and forgiving. But what will it take for her to realize that he is a waste of time?

Perhaps it is an ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ situation. She misses the chaos that she has confused with intensity. She misses the aggression she has confused with love.

It might even seem tantalising to get caught up in the Emily Bronte style synergy between love and violence, until you realise it is a lie.