A MAN who left his former partner 'petrified' of going out alone has been banned from entering the Flintshire village she lives in.
David Todd, of Brynllys West in Prestatyn, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday (July 10).
The 58-year-old had previously, at a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing held on May 29, pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour towards a woman.
William Griffin, prosecuting, told the court that Todd had been in a relationship with Louise Graham between June 2022 and April 2023.
Mr Griffin said that the relationship had 'started off well', but 'things turned sour'.
Todd began questioning who his then-partner was messaging, as well as 'stopping her from eating red meat' and singing around the house.
He would 'make her wear lipstick', 'continuously put her looks down' and isolated her from friends and family, the court was told.
Ms Graham became 'self conscious' as Todd also accused her of flirting with other men.
She even set her ring tone to a different one so that she knew when the defendant was calling and could 'answer straight away' as he had demanded.
In April 2023, as the relationship ended, Todd accused Ms Graham of having an affair and made posts about her on social media.
In a victim personal statement, she said that she had continued to have 'flashbacks' of her time with Todd.
The incidents had left her 'mentally broken', 'petrified of going out alone' and led her to 'panic' when around men.
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Ember Wong, defending, agreed with Judge Niclas Parry that the 'less said the better' about Todd's behaviour.
However, the court heard that he had 'taken it upon himself to seek help' to address his issues.
Judge Parry sentenced Todd to eight months, which was suspended for 18 months, and he will have to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
He also put a restraining order in place prohibiting Todd from contacting Ms Graham and from entering her home village of Penyffordd for a period of three years.
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