A man carried out acts of violence on his now ex-partner, including stamping on her forcefully in public, as she wanted to end their controlling relationship, a court heard.

Jonathan Armstrong was said to have used “emotional blackmail” to try to maintain the relationship with the woman, even after his arrest while he was on remand in prison.

Armstrong appeared at Durham Crown Court, by video link from the city’s nearby prison, to be sentenced for incidents in the closing stages of their relationship.

Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said the first incident, on April 27, came after his partner told him she wanted to end the relationship and placed his belongings in the garden.

When he returned, he punched her to the face, grabbed her and tried to bite her forehead, before following with further blows, causing bruising and abrasions to her face and head.

Dr Wood said Armstrong was later arrested after he smashed her front door window.

Read more: Pair admit involvement in class B drug 'street dealing' in County Durham

In a further incident, in Spennymoor, on June 8, after the relationship was over, Armstrong was seen punching her in the face, causing her to fall to the ground, in view of passers-by.

A witness shouted to him, but he claimed to have done nothing.

Then, while the woman was still lying injured, Armstrong was seen leaping in the air before coming down with both feet on her face.

One observer chased him, but Armstrong fled, and when police arrived they found his ex-partner with blood pouring from her nose, forehead and mouth.

Even after his arrested and detention he sent various manipulative messages to her, in some cases trying to disguise who they were from to ensure they reached her.

When interviewed, Armstrong gave “no comment” responses, but the 28-year-old defendant, formerly of Tudhoe Moor, Spennymoor, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, assault by beating, controlling and coercive behaviour in a relationship plus criminal damage at a hearing on August 30.

In an impact statement read to the court, the victim said she has lost weight due to stress and is now on prescribed medication, fearing what Armstrong may do on release.

The court was told the defendant has 84 convictions for 139 past offences, including several previously for violence.

Read more: County Durham rapist poses 'high risk' of sexual harm to women

Fiona Lamb, in mitigation, said the defendant has struggled through the proceedings due to his mental health issues, a personality disorder, not helped through his use of drugs and alcohol.

Miss Lamb said he does now accept the relationship is over and, while in custody, has decided he wants to end the cycle of offending.

He also hopes to address his mental health issues, plus his misuse of drink and drugs.

Judge James Adkin told Armstrong he sought to control his partner through violence and even when in prison tried to use emotional blackmail.

Imposing a 28-month prison sentence, the judge put in place a restraining order forbidding Armstrong from contacting or approaching his victim for the next ten years.

Read next:

Attack near County Durham school as children arrived for the day

County Durham man had more than 1,200 indecent images of children

County Durham cannabis oil grower suffered serious burns in home blast

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here