Controlling boyfriend who told teenage girlfriend what she could wear and where she could go jailed
Mark Defty banned his 17-year-old victim from wearing make-up and once pushed her against a wall because he was unhappy with her choice of outfit.Newcastle Crown Court heard the victim, from Sunderland, was allowed to have a Facebook account - but only if Defty was given the password.Prosecutor Andrew Finley told the court: "He told her she couldn't go out unless he was with her, she couldn't wear certain items of clothing, he wouldn't allow her to wear make-up."On one occasion he pushed her against a wall as he was unhappy with what she was wearing."He would allow her to use Facebook but insisted on knowing her password."He made her stop seeing her friends."The court heard Defty, who helped himself to the victim's money, warned he would "kick off if she disobeyed him" and threatened to harm himself so he could stay in control.
When the victim broke off the relationship, Defty made repeated calls and texts asking her to meet him.Mr Finley added: "He said he would throw himself off a bridge. She met with him a few times to prevent this from happening."During one incident he had to be talked off a roof by a police negotiator."The court heard Defty threatened to throw fireworks at the victim's windows and warned he would "destroy" her home.She said in a victim statement she was left "in fear" and felt "trapped" by Defty.Defty, 21, of no fixed address, who already had a criminal record, admitted controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking and threatening to cause criminal damage.Mr Recorder Haythorne sentenced Defty to 16 months behind bars with a five year restraining order.The judge told him: "You subjected her to significant fear and distress.
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Hide Ad"It must have been a terrible period of her life."Jane Waugh, defending, said Defty has mental health and learning issues but has worked hard in custody painting the wings and cleaning, while completing courses.Miss Waugh said Defty has started on new medication which he says has "changed him 100 per cent".