Jealous abuser threatened to break ex's legs

SHE WAS SUBJECTED TO FOUR MONTHS OF 'TERROR'

- By POPPY KENNEDY

A VIOLENT and jealous brute threatened to stab his partner and break her legs during a five month relationship where he subjected her to “systematic abuse”.

Daniel Soulsby admitted engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of intentional strangulation and one of criminal damage.

Over the course of a five-month relationship, Soulsby physically assaulted the woman, verbally abused her, threatened to ‘break her legs,’ threatened to damage her property and repeatedly accused her of cheating.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said: “They met through work, the relationship started and the defendant moved into her home. Matters began to turn for the worse [one month later] at a friend’s engagement party.”

Teesside Crown Court heard how Soulsby belittled the woman, swore at her and demanded they leave in a taxi. When they arrived home he struck her around the head. The woman said in her statement: “He leapt towards me and put both of his hands around my neck and started squeezing tightly to the point I could not breathe.”