A man who subjected his partner to almost nine months of bullying and manipulative behaviour is starting a 40-month prison sentence.

Following a few weeks' “honeymoon period” at the start of their relationship last year, Stuart Lee Wright, who was said to have a history of violent offences, some of a domestic nature, resorted to intimidating and controlling behaviour, leaving the victim fearful of him and what he may do to her.

Durham Crown Court heard that the course of conduct included two strangulation attacks, one in her car, which was only ended when a member of the public approached to see what was happening.

Read more: County Durham man jailed for 'reprehensible' attack on former partner

Wright attempted to pass it off to the Good Samaritan as being “fine”, describing it as, “only a little argument”.

Claire Anderson, prosecuting, said it left the victim hysterical, with hand prints on her neck.

In another incident, he tightly grabbed her hand, causing an injury, but he persuaded her against seeking medical treatment as it may draw the attention of social services.

Wright was said to have shouted to her that it was all her fault and she drove him to behave in that manner.

As the judge, Recorder Jason Pitter KC, told Wright: “There was only one person to blame for that behaviour and that was you.”

Miss Anderson said Wright also accused her of “cheating” on him and subjected her to demeaning and degrading "checks" to try to prove his baseless claim, while he was heavily intoxicated.

The truth finally came out when, fearing her hand was broken, the victim rang her mother, who told her to report it to police, or she would do so herself.

Wright was arrested on October 4 and taken to Darlington Police Station, where he declined to answer any questions.

Read more: County Durham man jailed for 'remorseless' and 'humiliating' violence

The 39-year-old defendant, of Melsonby Crescent, Darlington, denied charges of controlling or coercive behaviour with a relationship, two counts of intentional strangulation and one of common assault.

A trial was scheduled in the case, but a few weeks prior to it taking place, Wright changed his pleas to guilty, on January 27.

The sentencing hearing on Friday (February 17) was told the defendant has 38 convictions for 67 offences, including for dishonesty, public disorder and violence, “numerous” of them of a domestic nature.

In an impact statement read to the court, the victim said Wright, “initially behaved like a gentleman”, but it soon became clear to her that, “he was not the person he made out to be”.

She said she had to “risk assess” situations for the safety of her family and she has been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder, for which she receives weekly therapy.

Dr Chris Wood, for the defendant, said during the relationship, Wright suffered bereavement with the death of a close family member, and, “effectively turned to drink and drugs”, but he accepts it was, “to excess”.

“The problems he was dealing with, he expressed them in completely the wrong manner and never sought help for those issues and he treated her, deplorably.

“He accepts what he was doing was wrong. He knew what he was doing was wrong.”

Recorder Pitter told Wright: “You fall to be sentenced for a number of offences which do characterise you for what you are, a bully.

“All of the offences can really be considered in the context of your abuse of your partner.

“In carrying out that abuse it shows a pattern of bullying behaviour that is classic in its context and that behaviour contains nearly every facet you can find of domestic abuse, mental, physical, actual abuse and manipulation.

“You did that, knowing full well, what you were doing was wrong.

Read next:

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               Quartet jailed in separate cases at Durham Crown Court recently

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“The fact, at times, it may have arisen from an inability to control your temper really doesn’t help you.”

Passing the three-year and four-month sentence, Recorder Pitter also made Wright subject of an indefinite restraining order, prohibiting him from approaching or contacting his victim.

He also thanked the victim for finding the courage to come to court and read her impact statement.