Controlling brute threatened to put ex ‘in the ground’ as he strangled her

A violent brute who subjected his partner to years of controlling abuse threatened to “put her in the ground” as he strangled her.

The first signs of Scott Thompson’s controlling behaviour came to light when he would buy his partner presents and then expect her to be indebted to him. The 31-year-old got jealous when she went on holidays that were booked before their relationship started and even told her it was his decision, not hers, to chose the name of their child – something he did go back on.

But his controlling behaviour turned violent after the birth of their child. He first grabbed and squeezed the woman’s arms and legs causing bruises and punched her to the side of the head.

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The string of abuse continued throughout their relationship and on the next occasion, Thompson pushed her to the floor and dragged her by the ankles to the top of the stairs. Teesside Crown Court heard how she feared he would throw her down the stairs.

Instead he threw a sandwich and a can of drink at her. It was on the evening after the victim’s graduation that he took issue with her asking him to “hurry up with the bottles”. In response he punched her to the side of the head causing bruising.

Nigel Soppitt, prosecuting, told the court: “There was an argument because he felt she had spent too much money on shopping after giving her his credit card. He punched her forehead.”

Violence ensued after he complained that she was going out to see her friends and he accused her of taking drugs, an unfounded and “nonsense” accusation. The court heard he threatened her with a kitchen knife – although Thompson denied this allegation.

Thompson admitted engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour and two counts of intentional strangulation. On the first occasion, the dad pushed his partner on her back, got on top of her and put his hands around her throat. He squeezed for about 10 seconds.

Mr Soppitt added: “He told her ‘I’ll put you in the ground’.” Arguments over childcare led to violence and just days before Christmas, Thompson strangled his then-partner again.

He put one hand on top of her mouth and the other around her throat and stopped her from breathing for around 10 seconds. She managed to escape from the incident and by January the pair had decided to split.

But on February 15, Thompson came back to the house and destroyed flowers he had given her for Valentine’s Day. He then pulled her hair and punched her.

“He has pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity. He appreciates his behaviour did get out of control and it was not appropriate,” said Ms Kelleigh Lodge, mitigating. The court heard he did seek help at Roseberry Park and is now in therapy for grief and anger management.

Thompson, of Camden Street, Middlesbrough, has shown genuine remorse, the court heard. Recorder Mark McKone KC jailed Thompson for 20 months. He will serve half and spend another 12 months on licence.

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