DOMINEERING STANLEY MAN JAILED FOR CONTROLLING AND COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR
A joiner caused his partner to feel like she was "walking on eggshells" and described her life as miserable due to his violent outbursts and oppressive conduct, a court was told.At Durham Crown Court, it was revealed that up until October 2022, he had been in a relationship with the same woman for 24 years, during which they had six children together.
It was admitted that his behavior had gradually intensified over the past seven years, starting around 2015.
Following an argument, he assaulted her by punching her on the buttocks as she was receiving a call from her mother, who overheard her crying and contacted the police.
Police attended their home in the Stanley area, but initially took no action.
Prosecutor Chris Morrison stated that a month later, the victim reported Kirkbride’s pattern of behavior.
He mentioned incidents including one where the defendant swung a door at her, causing a cut to her face and a black eye, and another where he pushed her down the stairs.
When police searched his home on October 14, 2022, they discovered five cannabis plants valued at approximately £2,000 that the defendant was cultivating.
They also recovered £130 worth of cannabis for personal use.
During police interviews, Kirkbride acknowledged he could be “moody and argumentative” and admitted to striking his partner on the bottom.
His family reportedly walked on eggshells around him in his aggressive moods.
Mr Morrison described his conduct as “prolonged, volatile behavior,” which instilled fear of violence on many occasions.
Although he initially denied the allegations and their trial was scheduled for February next year, Kirkbride, 47, of Woodside Grove, Tantobie, near Stanley, changed his pleas to guilty on May 15, admitting controlling and coercive behavior in a relationship as well as assault causing actual bodily harm.
He had previously admitted to producing a class B drug.
In her victim statement, Kirkbride’s former partner said she had spent most of her adult life “walking on eggshells,” as Kirkbride treated her “with disdain.” She described him as having “a temper” and being “easily agitated,” recounting his “constant bad moods, tantrums, and aggressive behavior,” which, she said, caused their relationship to “gradually deteriorate,” leaving her feeling “trapped.” She also described their home environment as “miserable,” and noted that the case had been unresolved for the past four years, which contributed to her suffering from panic attacks, anxiety, and depression.
Mitigating, Reece Williams explained that the defendant had notified authorities of his change of plea nine months ahead of the scheduled trial.
He mentioned that Kirkbride was interviewed in October 2022 and February 2023 but then had to wait 28 months for charges to be brought, a delay beyond his control.
Mr Williams added that Kirkbride, a “hard-working” joiner, acknowledged that he had not coped well with the stresses of family life.
“It is how he responded to those pressures that resulted in these offences,” he said.
Recorder Mark McKone told Kirkbride that his conduct had had a “devastating effect” on his former partner’s family.
Sentencing him to a total of 28 months in prison, the judge stated it was “just too serious to suspend.” “Your partner was subjected to serious domestic violence over many years, and your violence and controlling behavior made her life a misery.” Additionally, a four-year restraining order was imposed, prohibiting Kirkbride from approaching or contacting his ex-partner.
