A twisted bully whose "paranoid" rules for his girlfriend included making her wear men's clothes and no makeup, and refusing to allow her to buy a mobile phone, has been jailed.
Daniel Bishopp, 24, met his girlfriend when they were both teenagers.
But just six months into the relationship, Bishopp became violent and strangled her when he became angry.
He set bizarre rules on how she should dress and who she could speak to.
Bishopp was "paranoid" and "terrified" that the mother of his children would leave him and plotted every aspect of her life, strangling her more than 20 times over their time together and only stopping when she struggled to breathe.
Hull Crown Court heard that it was the final straw for Bishopp's ex-partner on October 16 last year, when she finally plucked up the courage to call police, reports HullLive.
Prosecutor Katy Rafter told the court that Bishopp "got up in a mood" and grabbed the victim by her throat, pinned her up against the wall and lifted her up so she was standing on her tiptoes and held her as she was struggling to breathe.
He then slapped her on the back of the head after he released her when she was leaving the room, and that the victim believed it was because she had been given permission by him to get her first job two days before the attack.
"The defendant is paranoid and terrified of her [the victim] leaving him," said Miss Rafter.
"She described how he would be controlling, for example how the defendant would not allow her to wear makeup or go out on her own or own a mobile phone for the majority of the relationship.
"He would also encourage her to wear his clothes. She says for the last 10 years the defendant controlled her life, where she feared if she didn't let him, he would be violent towards her."
Miss Rafter said that the defendant "only became more paranoid" after the victim started her job and one month on from the attack sent her abusive text messages when she was with her sister, demanding she come home.
It was on that day, November 13, that she decided to end the relationship, but Bishopp refused to leave and punched the door in the bedroom before police attended and arrested him.
"[The victim] says that as a result of the defendant's behaviour, she lost a significant amount of weight and felt she had no energy to carry on and details how things were very difficult in the days that followed the defendant's arrest," said Miss Rafter.
"She questioned whether she had done the right thing in going to the police, but says as the days went by, things became easier, her health improved, she gained weight, she's happier, less stressed and feels able to do things like using social media and wearing makeup.
"Now the children are doing well and also appear happier."
Defending, Rachel Scott said that Bishopp was apologetic and suffered from anxiety and depression and was a construction labourer before losing his job in the pandemic.
She said that he loves his children, and said that the victim wanted him to receive help for his anger instead of being punished.
It was also heard that Bishopp could not control his emotions, smoked cannabis to help him sleep, which made him paranoid and that even though he was violent throughout the relationship, that this was consistent and had not escalated.
Recorder Mullarkey put in place a five-year restraining order to prevent Bishopp from contacting the victim and sentenced him to 16 months behind bars.
He said: "Your outlook and your attitude towards [the victim] was plainly warped by your own sense of insecurity and paranoia.
"You controlled her by prohibiting her from wearing makeup, selecting her clothes for her, dissuading her from seeing her friends, permitting her to go out alone and even permitting her from owning a mobile telephone.
"Because of your violent conduct towards her, she was left frightened of what might happen if she didn't comply with your instructions.
"You used the children as a weapon against her.
"Your mental health problems don't begin to justify your behaviour towards [the victim]."
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control you can call Refuge's 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free. The number is 0808 2000 247.
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