A MAN who used to beat his wife and says a course has helped him change his ways says he is astounded to hear it may never be run again.

The 61-year-old, known as John, who lives with his spouse in County Durham, was one of eight domestic abusers on the course, run by Darlington Borough Council.

Comprising 32 weekly sessions, trained professionals taught techniques to curb the threat of violence.

The pilot scheme, delivered through the Domestic Violence Forum, set out to help address a problem long acknowledged by Darlington council. However, it has now revealed there may not be another in the town. John said he was appalled that it may not be run again.

He said: "This was a new initiative by Darlington Borough Council, and when I finished it on August 13, there were six other men who were at various stages - some had only completed 12 weeks and some 16 weeks.

"We all signed a contract at the start to say we would abide by certain rules, and Darlington Borough Council have breached that contract under the guise that they are closing the course down to evaluate it.

"My view is by all means evaluate it, but by no means stop it."

While John completed all 32 weeks, he feels he still needs extra help.

Without continuing support, he is concerned for his behaviour.

He said: "The council state themselves that in 2005, there were 140 incidents of domestic violence reported a week and, basically, what they have done is released six people back to their partners and their circumstances part-way through a course, and who knows whether they will float or swim?

"It was promised at the outset that there would be continuing one-to-one contact. I have stabilised, but I certainly need the continuous support of the facilitators. It is like someone has thrown you a lifeline and just when you go to grasp it, it has gone again."

Fiona Nicol, who runs a course on similar lines in Bishop Auckland, agrees the programme should continue.

She said: "Increasingly, men are coming forward saying they have a problem and if they have seen these programmes, then the council are saying 'actually we are not going to run them any more', we are creating an expectation then withdrawing it.

"The repercussions are going to be immense."

A council spokesman said: "We are in the process of evaluating the programme and once that evaluation is completed, that will inform what future services we may provide."