Jealous Hartlepool brute who held onto partner's bank cards and tried to choke her avoids jail

Keith Woodhall, 26, isolated the victim who he has a child with, from her family and friends, controlled her finances and called her hurtful names on a daily basis.

He also assaulted her on several occasions and Teesside Crown Court heard she spent much of her time in her bedroom with their child frightened, while Woodhall played computer games.

He also caused a nasty injury to his partner’s grandmother’s arm by grabbing her during a fracas on June 8 in 2019.

Describing Woodhall’s behaviour, prosecutor Claire Anderson said: “He took her bank card and controlled her spending.

"He also isolated her from her family and friends.”

Woodhall also called his partner, who previously suffered from an eating disorder, fat when she was pregnant with their child.

He would accuse her of cheating and did not like it when she spent time with her friends instead of with him.

Ms Anderson added: “The relationship was a volatile one and there were often arguments which escalated into violence.”

On one occasion he hit her head off a work top, another time he dragged her by the hair and tried to choke her, and he once threw something at her at a party injuring her nose.

He caused the injury to her grandmother after drinking six cans of lager and going round to her house where his partner had gone after another argument.

During an argument over the pram, Woodhall grabbed the woman’s right forearm causing a large skin tear.

He admitted controlling or coercive behaviour and actual bodily harm.

Happily, the court heard his ex-partner has moved on well since the end of the relationship and now feels confident and happy with a new job and has many friends.

Paul Cleasby, mitigating, said Woodhall, of Mason Walk, Hartlepool, has also matured a lot saying he lacked positive male role models and sought to self medicate for anxiety and depression.

He said: "He reflects back upon his past behaviour with a great deal of shame.”

Judge Stephen Ashurst told Woodhall the court takes seriously the offence which “eats away” at the victim’s self confidence.

He received 18 months prison suspended for two years and a five-year restraining order against both women.

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