A MAN soon turned to violence in successive relationships with different partners last year, a court heard.

In both cases there was a short “honeymoon period” before Jake Foot began rowing with each woman, name calling, causing damage to property and then throwing items and striking each partner.

Durham Crown Court heard the violent episodes often took place when the cannabis user was unable to get the drug and he turned moody.

Ian West, prosecuting, said Foot became paranoid and suspicious in each relationship that the women were communicating with ex-partners on social media, which led him to damage their mobile phones.

He would apologise for his actions, vowing to change, but both women came to realise he was insincere.

Mr West said during one argument with the first woman Foot grabbed her by the throat and squeezed his grip to the point where she feared she was struggling to breathe.

Foot locked her out her out of the house and threw a lit cigarette into her face causing a burn mark.

Mr West said Foot would often lock her in or out of the house.

When the first relationship ended, after the woman self-harmed and Foot purported to be going to take his life, he trashed their home after his partner broke down and told her step-father what had been going on.

Following his arrest and while under investigation by police for his actions in that relationship, Foot formed a further relationship with a woman in Stanley.

Mr West said once more it was, “peppered with assaults”, name calling and at one point he put a knife to her throat

Foot, 25, of Ashworth Avenue, Sunderland, initially denied two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour within a relationship .

David Callan, mitigating, said after being asked to reflect on his position by the judge, he returned later to change his pleas to guilty.

“He understands there is no excuse for his behaviour, whatsoever, and he asks me to tell the court he is sorry for that behaviour.”

Judge Ray Singh told Foot: “Your conduct was intended to maximise fear and distress for both women.

“Your abuse and name calling was meant to degrade both of them.”

He imposed a total prison sentence of 45 months and put in place five-year restraining orders preventing Foot from contacting either victim.

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