A man said to have “no respect” for women has been jailed for offences committed over the course of several months in an abusive relationship with his latest victim.

Defendant Alan Elliott has previous convictions for battery and breaching a restraining order, arising from a past relationship, in 2009 and 2011.

But Durham Crown Court heard he has remained offence-free since then until the events of his most recent relationship, which began in May last year.

(Image: Durham Crown Court)

Elisha Marsay, prosecuting, said Elliott twice assaulted his now ex-partner, in June and December, last year, incidents which were not reported to police at the time.

Miss Marsay said the first took place amid a row over his suspected “cheating” when he struck her in the face, causing a black eye.

In the second, shortly before last Christmas, she asked him to leave her home in Stanley following another argument.

Miss Marsay said it resulted in the dispute escalating, so she left the premises, with a child in a pram.

Elliott followed her and with a clenched fist struck her in the face again, also causing pain and an injury to her left eye.

Miss Marsay said the relationship ended in January this year amid further allegations of infidelity, but the defendant went to her home and clutched her from behind demanding a ring and a pair of training shoes.

This led to the victim calling the police to report matters for the first time, giving a statement to officers on February 16 reporting that Elliott had constantly called her, using a withheld number and also sent her threatening voice mails.

He was said to have used emotional blackmail, threatening to harm himself, as well as posting abusive messages about her on Snapchat.

She told police he sent her unwanted gifts, including cards, soft toys and chocolates.

On one day he had also gone to her house and just stood outside.

(Image: Durham Constabulary)

Knowing police wanted to speak to him, following the woman’s initial complaint, he handed himself in at a police station, and was arrested on suspicion of stalking, making no comment in interview.

Miss Marsay said after Elliott was released on bail the complainant “lost count” of the number calls from withheld numbers that she received, some of which she answered.

In one of them, Elliott suggested she should drop the case against him.

He also posted offensive messages on Facebook, leading to the victim applying for a non-molestation order, which was granted in early March.

Following further unwanted calls, making threatening suggestions, and knowing police wanted to speak to him, Elliott again attended at a station and was arrested and interviewed over the alleged assaults.

He claimed he could not recall the incident in June last year, and, relating to the December case, he said the victim was arguing with her daughter.

Elliott also denied making the calls and other messages and told police he did not have a phone.

Having been bailed again, on condition his did not contact the victim, he made friends’ requests on Snapchat to her over three of the following four days, followed by further calls in which he urged her to “put it to bed”, adding that nothing would happen to her if her children were with her at the time, implying something would happen if she was not accompanied by her children.

It led to his further arrest, on March 18, since when the defendant has remained in custody.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

The victim said it reached the stage where she was frightened to go out as he had previously suddenly appeared in front of her from bushes.

She also made changes in her daily routine and added that she was, “constantly looking over my shoulder”.

The 36-year-old defendant, of Stanhope Gardens, Stanley, admitted two counts of assault by beating, and one each of stalking and breaching a non-molestation order.

Calum McNicholas, representing Elliot, told the court: “Clearly stalking and breaching a non-molestation order are serious offences, but they formed part of the same history of this relationship and part of the circumstances of this defendant's mistreatment of her.

“It’s clear he was in a variety of states of emotion during these offences and being remanded in custody might have been the best thing for him.

“He has been able to see how terrible he acted.

“His pre-sentence report author from the Probation Service said he now fully accepts his culpability for this totally unacceptable domestic violence and for his actions in general.

“He said to me in conference: ‘I know I have done wrong and I’m sorry.’

“There’s no prevarication or attempting to excuse his behaviour, or victim blaming.”

Mr McNicholas said the defendant has worked well while in custody and has earned enhanced status as a cleaner as well as taking educational courses.

He added: “Perhaps the man who eventually walks out of prison might be a better man than the one who walked in.”

Recorder Mark Giuliani told Mr McNicholas: “He seems to have an issue with women.

“He’s abusive to women and I have to pass a sentence beyond the limit for which he can receive a suspended sentence.”

Addressing the defendant, Recorder Giuliani told him: “Despite the fact that for a period of more than ten years you were out of the criminal justice system, you are someone who has no respect for women and you are abusive to women in front of young children.

“Although the relationship came to an end in January you refused to accept it had run its course and you continued to contact her.

“You used emotional blackmail. She received a visit and a number of calls.

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“It was just persistent, with messages in which you were excessively offensive to her.

“It’s clear it’s had a significant adverse effect on her and she has had to change her lifestyle.”

Imposing a 37-month prison sentence, Recorder Giuliani also made the defendant subject of a restraining order forbidding him from making any contact, even through a third party or on social media, or from approaching his victim, for ten years.