A North East man has been handed a five-year jail term after being found of guilty for abusive behaviour.

Daryl Forster, 33, from Hartlepool, was given the term and an indefinite restraining order at Teesside Crown Court today (January 19) after being found guilty of seven offences at trial.

He had been found guilty at trial of two counts of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and sending a communication conveying a threatening message.

Investigating officer, DC Genyfer Smith, from Cleveland Police Domestic Abuse Unit, said: “Daryl Forster has today been sentenced for seven domestic abuse offences after being found guilty by a jury at his trial.  

The Northern Echo: Daryl Foster, 33

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“I want to thank the victim in this case for their courage in reporting matters to us and seeing this through the judicial process. 

“Forster has now been sentenced to five years behind bars and issued an indefinite restraining order. I welcome this sentence, which shows that domestic abuse is not only taken seriously by police but also the courts. 

“I would urge any victims who have suffered domestic abuse in any form to come forward and report it to Cleveland Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”