A controlling boyfriend who was violent to his former partner bit her on the shoulder and threatened to burn her house down if she broke up with him.
Alan Metcalfe, 23, carried out a "persistent and prolonged" campaign of controlling behaviour against his then-partner between October last year and May this year. The 23-year-old "bullied" the woman and "told her what to wear" and even returned to dish out abuse despite being arrested and released under investigation.
Metcalfe, of Easington Street, Peterlee, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for controlling behaviour. He had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.
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Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said a "persistent and prolonged period of offending" took place during the couple's relationship, during which Metcalfe "threatened to set fire to a house on a number of occasions".
The court heard that Metcalfe "told her what to wear and was violent on a number of occasions". In one incident, he began "pushing and pulling her" before making "threats to burn her house down" if she "finished" with him.
Metcalfe was arrested after biting the woman on the shoulder, but after being released under investigation, he saw the woman out and about when he was in a car. He then got out and branded her a "f****** rat". When police turned up to arrest him again, he was described as being "aggressive" to officers whilst "dishing out threats".
Mark Styles, defending, said Metcalfe had "difficulties" and had been excluded from school from a young age. He said: "He has clearly shown dysfunctional behaviour from an early age and started taking drugs at a young age." Mr Styles said Metcalfe hung around with an older peer group and "went along with what they were doing". He added Metcalfe suffers from "paranoia and lack of sleep" due to his cannabis use and was "ashamed at how he's conducted himself".
Sentencing him, Judge James Adkin, the Recorder of Durham, said Metcalfe's former partner described him as a "bully" and said it was a "bad case" where he "maximised fear and distress". Metcalfe was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for two years and was made subject of a four month curfew between 6pm and 6am. He must complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and a 12 month exclusion requirement was made. Metcalfe must complete a six month alcohol treatment programme and a five year restraining order was also imposed.
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