Abusive husband banned from entering Hartlepool after ‘torturing’ wife for nine years

Paul Miller, 50, controlled his wife’s access to her friends and family, physically assaulted her and smashed up items in their home in regular rages.

Teesside Crown Court heard how his wife of 31 years worried she may not wake up the next day.

Miller is now not allowed to enter the town at the request of his wife as a condition of a restraining order.

The court heard how his personality changed and he developed anger issues after suffering a head injury in a serious road accident nine years ago. His wife became his full-time carer.

But his behaviour was made worse by taking amphetamine.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said: “She describes essentially being mentally tortured for years during the currency of their relationship.

"She describes how the defendant was extremely controlling in his behaviour patterns towards her, minimalising the level of contact she was able to enjoy with her family and friends. Repeatedly abusive and threatening towards her.”

He refused her access to her mobile phone, regularly checking it and deleting messages and contacts, and would not let her use social media.

In 2018 while on drugs, Miller throttled his wife causing her to pass out. And on February 29 this year he prevented her from leaving the house by locking the door and assaulted her by punching and slapping.

He admitted controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault by beating and criminal damage.

In a victim personal statement Mrs Miller, who is divorcing him, said: "Being with Miller made me worry I may not wake up the next day.”

She added he destroyed her self-confidence but believes it will return in time.

Speaking over a videolink from Durham Prison, Miller, formerly of Tiverton Grove, Hartlepool, now no fixed abode, thanked her for the help she gave him adding: "I’m so sorry for what’s happened and the way things have turned out.”

Agreeing the restraining order Judge Deborah Serwin said Mrs Miller needed the reassurance she was not going to bump into him in Hartlepool.

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