A man has spent the last five months behind bars for his threatening and controlling abuse of his partner of the last 17 years.

Waldemar Grela’s behaviour to his now former partner was said to have become worse since the start of last year due to his excessive drinking, a court was told.

Durham Crown Court heard that the 56-year-old defendant threatened to assault the woman on more than one occasion, while also claiming he would burn down her home.

Sam Ponniah, prosecuting, said the victim described the last year with her partner as being, “particularly volatile”, due to his use of alcohol.

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She said he would call her a “prostitute” and make other derogatory remarks, making her frightened and upset.

Mr Ponniah said she recalled a specific incident as she was washing up when the defendant told her to, “move her fat a***” or he would burn the house down.

They separated in April this year and Grela told her he planned to return to his native Poland.

Mr Ponniah told the court, however, that on the day the defendant was supposed to be going back to Poland, he, instead, contacted her and said he had a re-think and planned to go back to her house.

When he got to her house he shouted for her allow him in and, as she hid inside locked in, he became more aggressive, banging and kicking on the door, causing her to fear he would force his way inside.

She rang for the police and told the defendant she had done so, which had the effect of calming him, as he waited outside until officers arrived and arrested him.

In a short statement, read to the court, the victim said the incident made her fearful for what may have happened as she was aware, from past incidents, that he has the capability to harm her.

She said she was left visibly shaking by the ordeal.

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The 56-year-old defendant, of Warnebrooke Avenue, Murton, admitted a single count of controlling and coercive behaviour in a relationship, between January 1 last year and April 25 this year.

Mr Ponniah said the defendant has no similar offences on his record but has committed previous alcohol-related motoring convictions.

Duncan McReddie, in mitigation, said those previous convictions are relevant only to the extent it shows there have been issues with alcohol in the defendant’s past.

Mr McReddie said the prosecution was notified of the defendant’s intention to plead guilty to the latest charge as far back as July 4.

“It’s avoided the need for a trial and the need for cross-examination of the complainant.”

Mr McReddie said: “My main point of mitigation, however, is that he has spent five months remanded in custody, the equivalent of a ten-month prison sentence.”

Recorder Nicholas Lumley KC told Grela: “Because of you drinking so much alcohol it became a volatile relationship.

“You said and did things of a frightening intent.

“I sentence you on the basis you have no previous convictions for violence, but these were violent and aggressive words and behaviour in a domestic context, making your partner feeling vulnerable in her own home.

“You have now been in prison for five months and I intent to pass a sentence of ten months which will be suspended for the next 12 months.”

Recorder Lumley said the defendant would be subject of a community order for the next year, during which he must complete 30 rehabilitation activity days working with the Probation Service.

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The court heard that it is not the wish of the complainant to have a restraining order put in place.

Recorder Lumley told Grela to co-operate with the Probation Service.

As the case was coming to a conclusion, the defendant, who has been in Durham Prison on remand, spoke through a Polish interpreter.

He said he was “really satisfied” with the outcome and added that he wanted to “express my sincere thanks” to his lawyers and to the judge.