A controlling and abusive man has narrowly avoided being jailed following protracted campaign of coercive behaviour which ended with him repeatedly punching her in the face.

Kai Wilson would bombard his now ex-partner with calls at work while regularly accusing her of being unfaithful and abusing drugs.

The 23-year-old was made subject of domestic violence prevention order due to his behaviour but breached it when he met her to pick up his dog on February 1 this year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the defendant punched her at least six times to the face while she was driving and she was forced to pull over as her vision was impaired.

Emma Wright, prosecuting, said Wilson’s paranoia was fuelled by his cocaine use and resulted in him checking the loft for a person he accused her of being unfaithful with.

His behaviour turned violent when the victim was giving the defendant a lift to his mother’s house, the court heard.

Miss Wright added: “Whilst she was driving, he started hitting her to the face. The first hit her on the nose causing it to bleed.

“There were a number of punches thrown at her. She asked him to stop before stopping the car as her vision was impaired. She tried to get away but he grabbed her arm.

“She managed to get free and run to a nearby shop for help.”

Wilson, of Coleridge Gardens, Darlington, pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour over a five-month period, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and theft of a mobile phone.

Duncan McReddie, mitigating, said his client fully accepts responsibility for his behaviour and now understands that his cocaine use was causing his paranoia.

He said: “He accepts responsibility for the offences and the impact it had on his victim.

“He takes full responsibility for his behaviour and intends to never repeat it in the future.

“He understands the use of cocaine has affected his behaviour.”

Judge Richard Bennett told Wilson that his behaviour had caused the breakdown of his relationship with his former partner.

He said: “The assault was a cowardly offence. You hit her while she was driving and in effect, she was defenceless and trapped in the car.

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“She sought to escape but he tried to stop her by dragging her back and stole her phone. No doubt to stop her ringing the police.”

Wilson was sentenced to two years in custody suspended for two years after he had already served time in prison while on remand.

He was ordered to attend a Building Better Relationship course, subjected to a nine-month drug rehabilitation requirement, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

The defendant was also made subject to a ten-year restraining order to protect his victim.