South Yorkshire thug gets suspended jail sentence after abusing his ex-partner

A thug who subjected his former partner to physical and emotional abuse for over six months has been given a suspended prison sentence.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard today, Monday, April 20, how Sam Dodsworth, 24, of Bawtry Road, Wickersley, Rotherham, controlled his former partner, attacked her on several occasions and threatened her.

Jeremy Barton, prosecuting, said: "At first the relationship was good but after a short time the defendant started showing signs of controlling and domineering behaviour culminating in physical assaults on the complainant and threats of violence."

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Dodsworth prevented the complainant from going out and he became paranoid about who she was seeing and he would decide what she did and where she went, according to Mr Barton.

A thug has been given a suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court after he admitted using coercive and controlling behaviour against his ex-partner which included physical and emotional abuse.A thug has been given a suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court after he admitted using coercive and controlling behaviour against his ex-partner which included physical and emotional abuse.
A thug has been given a suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court after he admitted using coercive and controlling behaviour against his ex-partner which included physical and emotional abuse.

Mr Barton added Dodsworth threatened to slit the complainant's throat if she called police and he threatened to smash up her flat and he would insult her.

Between August and December, the defendant grabbed her by the neck, slapped her, punched her in the nose and punched her twice in the mouth and damaged her mobile phone, according to Mr Barton.

Dodsworth, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to using controlling and coercive behaviour which encompassed all his actions during the seven-month relationship.

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Richard Barradell, defending, said Dodsworth lost his father when he was aged 14 and he turned to drugs after he had suffered abuse.

Mr Barradell added: "He is intelligent enough to realise what he put her through and he is remorseful. He was 23 when this started. His behaviour, although serious, was incredibly immature."

Judge Michael Slater told Dodsworth: "Over a period of slightly over six months while you were in a relationship with this complainant you subjected her to both emotional and physical abuse on many occasions."

He sentenced Dodsworth, who had been remanded in custody prior to sentencing, to 12 months of custody suspended for two years with a 20 day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement.

Dodsworth was also given a five-year restraining order.

Judge Slater warned Dodsworth if he breaches his suspended sentence he is likely to be sent to prison.