'Violent' man jailed for coercive behaviour

David Hawthorne appeared at Ipswich Crown Court

A "violent" man who initially denied coercive and controlling behaviour before changing his plea has been jailed.

David Hawthorne, 45, of Lilac Drive in Lowestoft, Suffolk, admitted the charge on the first day of his trial on 16 April at Ipswich Crown Court.

He appeared again on Wednesday where he was sentenced to more than three years in jail including for breaching a previous suspended sentence for an unrelated assault charge.

Det Con Leach said Hawthorne "displayed a sustained pattern of violent behaviour".

"Experiencing coercive and controlling behaviour can be an incredibly lonely experience for the victim as their movements are controlled, making them feel trapped," they added.

"They also suffer from the threat and fear of violence and injury, intimidation and lack of financial freedom."

The charges relate to one victim and occurred over a five-month period.

He was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment for coercive and controlling behaviour and 17 months for the suspended sentence breach that will run consecutively, giving a total of 38 months.