A man who treated his ex-partner “dreadfully” for most of last year is due to leave prison after spending 207 days on remand.
Conor Kirkup’s time in custody this year helped him to avoid an immediate prison sentence for controlling and coercive behaviour and intentional strangulation.
Kirkup, 34, of Leaholme Terrace, Blackhall Colliery, denied the charges in March and was due to stand trial in August.
But he returned to Durham Crown Court on July 24, ten days before the trial was due to start, and pleaded guilty to both offences.
The court heard that the controlling behaviour lasted most of last year and included threats and violence, damage to her property, taking and checking her phone, changing passwords to access her accounts and making threats to kill her.
It culminated in the offence of strangulation at an address in Brandon, on December 27.
In an impact statement read to the court, the victim said Kirkup exploited her vulnerability, leaving lasting trauma, cutting her off from other people and forcing her to change her routine.
Prosecutor Charlie Thompson said Kirkup’s conduct appeared designed to maximise her distress, with repeated threats to harm her, phone monitoring and checks of her belongings.
In mitigation, Michael Forrest said the defendant disputed parts of the victim’s statement but had, “held up his hands to his deplorable behaviour during the relationship”.
Mr Forrest said the “catalyst” was Kirkup’s “relationship” with drugs, which seemed to be “never-ending”.
“Cocaine has been a horrible shadow on his life during his 20s and into his 30s.”
Mr Forrest said Kirkup had led almost a double life while holding down a good job.
“But he has done this and utterly regrets it, and is ashamed of it.”
Mr Forrest said Kirkup hoped to rebuild his life after his long period on remand to return to where he was before “drugs took hold of his life”.
Sentencing was delayed to establish whether Kirkup’s former partner wanted a restraining order.
After a four-day adjournment, Mr Thompson told the court that the victim confirmed she wanted no contact with Kirkup.
Judge Richard Clews told him: “It was a dreadful way to treat someone, particularly someone you professed to have cared about.
“You are 34 and although you have something of a record, it is not extensive and there are no serious offences, although I note you have a caution for assault.”
The judge told Kirkup that such offences would usually result in a prison sentence.
But he added: “You have spent 207 days in custody already, the equivalent of a seven-month sentence, and you have an offer of employment.
“The Probation Service suggests there is work that can be done of benefit to you and the community in general to reduce the likelihood of you offending again.”
He imposed a two-year community order requiring Kirkup to complete 30 rehabilitation activity days under Probation Service supervision.
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As Kirkup was said to be about to return to work, the judge ordered him to pay his victim £1,000 in compensation at £50 a month.
He also imposed a 10-year restraining order prohibiting Kirkup from contacting or approaching the victim.
The judge added that he should give his ex-partner “a wide berth” if there is a chance encounter.
Coercive control can include assault, threats, humiliation, intimidation and other abuse used to harm, punish or frighten a partner or ex-partner, the NSPCC says.
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