DARYL COOPER FROM WHITBY SENTENCED FOR 20-YEAR REIGN OF TERROR AND ABUSE IN TEESSIDE

In a case that has shocked the community of Whitby and the surrounding areas, Daryl Cooper, aged 61, has been sentenced to prison for a prolonged period of domestic abuse and violence that spanned over two decades. The court heard harrowing details of his relentless control, physical assaults, and child cruelty that inflicted suffering on his wife and daughter, leaving lasting scars.

Cooper’s reign of terror began shortly after the birth of his daughter in 1999, a period during which his violent tendencies and controlling behavior became increasingly evident. His wife, who endured years of abuse, recounted incidents where Cooper would physically assault her, including slapping her across the face during an argument while she was holding their five-month-old baby. Prosecutor Joanne Kidd described how Cooper’s violent actions escalated over the years, with the relationship ultimately ending in 2019 amid ongoing concerns from friends and family about the safety of the victims.

The court was presented with evidence of Cooper’s brutal assault on his ex-partner in January 2008. On that occasion, heavily intoxicated, he launched himself at her in the hallway, knocking her into a door and causing her to lose consciousness. When she regained awareness, she was subjected to verbal abuse, and she later discovered she had sustained a fractured jaw. The injuries were severe enough that she initially declined medical assistance but later learned of the extent of her injuries during a dental appointment. Her daughter, who was present during some of these incidents, witnessed her mother’s extensive bruising and was also subjected to physical abuse, including being hit with an iPad and having her head banged against a bath.

Further accounts revealed that Cooper’s violence extended to threatening his wife with a knife while their daughter was nearby, creating a terrifying scene where the child feared witnessing her mother being harmed. The court also heard disturbing testimonies from his daughter, who described being physically assaulted and emotionally terrorized from a young age. She recounted being held over a bath, having her ear ripped from her head, and frequently locking herself in the bathroom to escape her father’s wrath.

In 2015, Cooper’s violence and controlling behavior continued to escalate. His wife discovered broken furniture and signs of a violent fight, which led to their daughter running away from home. Police eventually located her and placed her in care for seven months, during which her mother was subjected to further control and isolation, unable to communicate freely with her daughter. The mother expressed feelings of guilt for leaving her child in Cooper’s care, recalling the moment she first realized the extent of his violence when he hit her while she was holding their infant daughter.

Cooper’s alcohol addiction worsened over time, contributing to his volatile behavior. In 2018, he threatened colleagues and staff at his daughter’s workplace, resulting in her losing her job. The relationship between Cooper and his wife ended in January 2019 after she discovered he was involved with another woman. The court described his actions as a “20-year reign of terror,” highlighting the persistent pattern of coercive control, violence, and emotional abuse.

During the proceedings, a victim impact statement was read, revealing the profound psychological toll on his former partner. She described feeling “stupid” and “worthless,” haunted by memories of his drunken, aggressive behavior, and her own feelings of guilt for not ending the relationship sooner. She detailed how Cooper’s behavior extended beyond their home, insulting her family and instilling fear in her nephew. She expressed her hope to move past the trauma and rebuild her life.

Similarly, Cooper’s daughter provided a heartbreaking account, describing feelings of pain and being made to believe her suffering was her fault. She recounted being told she wouldn’t be believed if she spoke out and that revealing the truth would result in her being taken away from her family. Her words painted a picture of a young girl living in fear, with her father described as a “coward” afraid of himself.

Cooper, of Abbey Terrace, Whitby, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of controlling and coercive behavior, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and child cruelty. The charges related to incidents occurring between December 29, 2015, and January 9, 2019, in Hartlepool. The court heard how these acts of control and violence had a devastating impact on his victims’ lives.

Judge Timothy Stead condemned Cooper’s conduct as controlling, oppressive, volatile, and deceitful, emphasizing how years of such behavior can erode a person’s will and hinder their ability to recover emotionally and physically. He stated that the victims’ lives would be “permanently damaged” but expressed hope that they could eventually move forward.

In sentencing, Judge Stead imposed a prison term of three years and issued a 10-year restraining order to protect the victims from further contact with Cooper. The case serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of domestic abuse and coercive control, and the importance of justice for those who suffer in silence.