DOMESTIC ABUSER SENTENCED FOR YEARS OF TORTURE AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE

A man who "tortured" his partner over a period of 10 years has been sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court. Christopher McManus, 34, from Millford in Leam Lane, Gateshead, was found to have subjected his girlfriend to extensive physical and emotional abuse. His actions included regularly using "nasty" words that had a significant negative impact on her, and physical violence, such as trapping her arm in a door during a heated argument in August 2022, which resulted in extensive bruising. The court heard that McManus also engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour, which led to him being jailed for 11 months suspended for 18 months. During the relationship, he displayed violent and controlling tendencies, including deleting her contacts and photos, accusing her of cheating, isolating her from friends and family, and making hurtful and degrading comments, such as calling her "stupid," "fat," and "ugly." He also told her to kill herself and blamed her for issues in the relationship, even attempting to persuade her she had bipolar disorder. Ken more alarming incidents included blocking her from leaving their home with their young son, which culminated in him pushing a door against her arm. The victim described her ordeal as having been "tortured" and subjected to "physical and mental abuse" over a decade, despite her distress. Judge Julie Clemitson highlighted that McManus's verbal assaults were "particularly harmful," undermining her confidence and self-esteem, and expressed concern over their impact on their young son, who witnessed the distress and cruelty. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and was given a restraining order banning contact with his former partner for three years.