DAVID TUSON'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN CLEETHORPES: EX-GIRLFRIEND HELD HOSTAGE AND TERRORIZED

A disturbing case of domestic abuse unfolded in Cleethorpes, where David Tuson, aged 36, was found guilty of holding his former partner against her will and subjecting her to a terrifying ordeal that left her emotionally scarred. The incident, which lasted approximately one hour, involved physical restraint, verbal abuse, and threats designed to instill fear and control.

According to court proceedings, the victim, whose identity remains protected, had initially met Tuson through the popular dating platform Plenty Of Fish. Their relationship progressed, but she eventually decided to end it, expressing her desire to remain friends. Despite her clear intentions, Tuson responded with hostility, sending her a barrage of abusive and threatening messages via Facebook and voicemails. In these messages, he expressed violent wishes, including hoping she would be raped, beaten, and stamped on her head. He also threatened to falsely report her to social services, alleging that she had physically abused her children.

On October 15, the situation escalated dramatically. The victim recounted that Tuson shouted through her letterbox, calling her a derogatory term, and later confronted her in the street with aggressive behavior. The court heard that he then persuaded her to accompany him to his residence on Harrington Street, where he refused to let her leave. Court documents detailed how Tuson physically pushed her onto a bed, grabbed her arm, and attempted to kiss her despite her protests. He also pushed her again, causing her to feel frightened and intimidated.

During the confrontation, Tuson threw his phone at the television, smashing it, and kicked a kitchen cupboard door off its hinges. His violent outbursts culminated in him locking the door of his home, effectively trapping her inside. Despite her pleas to leave, he refused to release her, further pushing her and causing her distress. The victim described feeling terrified during the ordeal, which was punctuated by Tuson’s aggressive behavior and threats. Eventually, he allowed her to leave, but not before trying to seize her phone and hitting her in the face.

Neighbours, hearing screams and distress signals, knocked on her door to check on her well-being. The woman later sought medical attention multiple times, suffering from anxiety and night terrors as a result of the traumatic experience. The court also noted Tuson’s prior criminal record, which included a domestic public order incident from 2016.

During the hearing, Craig Lowe, representing Tuson, acknowledged that the relationship had ended and emphasized that Tuson had no intention of rekindling or maintaining contact with the victim. However, Judge John Thackray QC was unequivocal in his condemnation, stating, “You terrorized your former partner. She was understandably terrified of you, and you have a history of domestic abuse. Your offending had a profound effect upon her. She must have been terrified during that one-hour period. Your purpose was to terrorize her.”

As a result, Tuson was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was issued an indefinite restraining order to prevent any further contact with the victim. His criminal history also includes a 2017 conviction for aggravated vehicle taking, where he was jailed for 16 months after reversing his car into a police vehicle during a high-speed chase in the West Marsh area of Grimsby. He was also banned from driving following that incident, which involved mounting a footpath and jumping a red light at around 2 a.m.