Thug who told the mother of his child "one of these days I'll murder you" is jailed

Stuart O'Connor, 39, was violent towards the mother of his young child between November last year and April this year.Vince Ward, prosecuting, said that on April 20 this year O'Connor pushed the woman in the chest against a wall using both hands and told her: "One of these days I will murder you. You will be worth a life sentence."Mr Ward told the court how the couple had lived together for six years and after the birth of their now sixteen-month-old son, the violence had increased.He said: "There were so many incidents of violence in their relationship that she could not give an exact figure for it."On one occasion the court heard that the woman was on her phone speaking with a male friend when the defendant snatched the mobile off her.Mr Ward said: "(The defendant) punched her repeatedly on the same spot on her thigh, effectively interrogating her using that violence."

As he attacked her, O'Connor asked her questions about the friend she was texting.On another occasion O'Connor had gone into her bedroom, as the couple slept separately, and "demanded she pull her trousers down because he wanted to have sex with her."

When she refused, he pushed his hands into her neck, leaving her with bruises.The court also heard how O'Connor had thrown a box file at her as he left the house at another time.Mr Ward told the court that O'Connor had 12 convictions including for an incident in which he strangled the same woman in November 2015. He was made subject of a restraining order before she had it removed.O'Connor's ex read her victim impact statement to the court in person in which she outlined how she had suffered with social anxiety and post natal depression.She said: "There were many times things have happened and I wanted to say something."She said that having to relive the incidents in court hearings made her remember "the fear, the anxiety and the pain of the attack which was carried out."In recent months I have suffered from pretty horrific flashbacks which have left me shaking in fear and anxiety."Vic Laffey, defending, said: "He accepts without reservation that this behaviour was completely unacceptable."He accepts and understands the suffering that he has caused to the victim in this case and he accepts that it should never have happened."Mr Laffey said O'Connor had an "unfortunate" upbringing, having effectively never known his father.He added: "He was in a serious accident when he was about 15-years-old which has affected him there on."Mr Laffey outlined a mental health report about the defendant and told the court how he had been diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder as well as suffering from depression and anxiety.He added that the defendant accepted that he would not be able to establish contact with his son until some time in the future and wanted to get whatever help he could receive for his problems.O'Connor, of Londonderry Tower, Hendon, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour and two counts of common assault by battery at a magistrates court.The judge, Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC addressed the defendant and said: "You are plainly not of good character."I am told that you now accept responsibility and I am doubtful as to that.

"There is no depression, there is no psychosis and whatever difficulties there have been in your earlier life, none can excuse your behaviour."O'Connor wept in the dock as he was sentenced to two years in prison.He was also made subject of a five year restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victim.