Sunderland man ordered to stay away from ex-girlfriend after admitting terrorising her during on-off relationship

A mum said she was left with an eating disorder after a violent relationship that has caused her to "jump away" when people come too near.
Newcastle Crown CourtNewcastle Crown Court
Newcastle Crown Court

At the end of a five year "on-off" relationship, Thomas Robson "grabbed her hair, pulled out an earring from her ear, hit her and punched her".

Newcastle Crown Court heard the abuse was exposed when Robson attacked the victim, who he punched in the face, on the way home from a night out in December 2018 and she contacted the police.

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Robson, 27, of Akeld Mews, Sunderland, admitted controlling and coercive behaviour between November 1 and December 31, 2018.

Prosecutor Gavin Doig said: "She felt very scared of Mr Robson. She said she flinches when she's around him because she is so scared of him.

"She says she jumps away when people try to touch her.

"She has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, anxiety and depression, which she links to the defendant's behaviour.

"He has effected her health, her life and her relationships."

The court heard the victim is now in a new relationship.

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Vic Laffey, defending, said Robson, who was on a suspended sentence for burglary at the time, has worked well with the probation service and had no contact with the victim for 17 months.

Mr Laffey said: "He accepts he could clearly have handled this situation better. He was drinking too much."

Mr Laffey said Robson, who has a good work ethic and employment record, accepted he caused fear but said the bad behaviour was of short duration and added: "She blames him for the eating disorder but there is nothing to support this."

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced Robson to a community order for two years with rehabilitation requirements, 150 hours unpaid work and a two-year restraining order.

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The judge said a prison sentence could send Robson's rehabilitation back to "square one".

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