DARLINGTON DRUG ABUSER WITH A 'FIXATION' WHIPPED PARTNER WITH DOG LEAD

A man named Robert Simpson from Herbert Street in Darlington was sentenced to two years in prison after admitting to serious domestic abuse and harassment. Court reports detailed how Simpson, aged 33, exhibited violent behavior including repeatedly punching his partner, causing her to bleed, and smashing a car radio during a confrontation. He also threatened her with violence, including setting her and her dog on fire, and accused her of infidelity without evidence, which fueled his paranoia and violent outbursts. Simpson pinned his partner down with a dog lead while holding a knife, made threats to kill her, and whipped her legs with the dog lead while she screamed for him to stop. His behavior escalated to damage and threats of self-harm, and he also damaged a CCTV camera in a police cell. Simpson has three prior convictions for seven offenses, including drug-related and assault cases. Mental health assessments identified him as having a personality disorder, ADHD, and suspected autism, with a background of mental health issues from a young age. During sentencing, Judge Nathan Adams highlighted Simpson's fixation on the belief that his partner was cheating, which contributed to his violence. Simpson was also issued a five-year restraining order preventing contact with his ex-partner. The court acknowledged his remorse, citing a letter of apology, and hoped that the enforced abstinence in prison would aid his rehabilitation.