NORTH EAST DOMESTIC ABUSER 'SCARED LIFE' OUT OF PARTNER AND BIT AND STRANGLED HER DURING RELATIONSHIP
A County Durham domestic abuser who "scared the life" out of his partner during a violent relationship has dodged jail.Daniel Monaghan bit and strangled his partner during a tumultuous relationship that lasted just over a year.
A County Durham domestic abuser who "scared the life" out of his partner during a violent relationship has dodged jail.
Daniel Monaghan bit and strangled his partner during a tumultuous relationship that lasted just over a year.
The 36-year-old HGV driver carried out violent offences against his then-partner while under the influence of drink and drugs.
A court heard Monaghan would go on "benders" where he would drink for days before becoming violent.
On Friday, Monaghan, of Delves Lane, Consett, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be sentenced for assault by beating, intentional strangulation, threats to destroy or damage property, and harassment.
He had pleaded guilty to the offences, which were committed between July 2023 and December 2024.
The court heard that Monaghan and the woman were in a relationship for just over a year and was marred by violence.
Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, said: "The defendant began calling her names.
[One time] he grabbed a mattress she was sitting on and flipped it.
He called her a 's***' and 'daft c***'.
In December 2023, he became aggressive, shouting and calling her names.
He bit her on the arm and was pushing her around.
"The defendant pinned her to the bed by her neck, strangling her for approximately 10 seconds.
She was pushing him and trying to make him leave." The court heard the victim was left with grazes and bruises across her body.
On another occasion, Monaghan, a dad-of-one, began shouting in the woman's face.
In the summer of 2023, Monaghan had spent days drinking and began calling her abusive names over the phone and on WhatsApp.
He demanded property and money from her before threatening to smash her car up.
In a statement, the victim said Monaghan "scares the life out of me", leaving her "constantly on edge".
She added: "I was extremely fearful my property would be damaged." The court was told Monaghan had 22 previous convictions for 37 offences, including battery, actual bodily harm, and common assault.
Cole Cockburn, defending, said: "The defendant expects to go to prison.
We submit this is a case which can and should be suspended.
Intoxication seems to be a feature common to all of his recent offending.
He had a troubled childhood and was regularly exposed to domestic abuse - both parents assaulted each other.
The defendant himself made attempts on his life in 2024." Judge Richard Clews sentenced Monaghan to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He must also carry out 100 hours unpaid work and a six months alcohol treatment requirement.
He was also ordered to undertake 20 rehabilitation days and an indefinite restraining order was imposed.
