The victim said: “I feel like I have forgotten how to be me. No one should ever have to feel like this.”
Anthony Newbon admitted using controlling or coercive behaviour. He also admitted false imprisonment and assault. (Image: Humberside Police )
A heavy-drinking bully kept his terrified girlfriend prisoner in his home for three hours after angrily locking the door and repeatedly accusing her of cheating on him. Jealous and aggressive alcoholic Anthony Newbon intimidated the woman on another occasion by brandishing a hammer at her and he left her feeling “worthless” and stuck in a nightmare where she could not wake up, a court heard.
Newbon, 36, of Finkle Lane, Barton-upon-Humber, but recently in custody on remand, admitted using controlling or coercive behaviour towards the woman between May 31 and October 8. He also admitted false imprisonment and assault.
Austin Newman, prosecuting, told Hull Crown Court that Newbon and the woman were in a short-lived relationship. “At first, they got along well,” said Mr Newman.
Newbon later told his girlfriend that he had drug and alcohol problems and that he drank at least a small bottle of vodka every day. “Then he started using crack cocaine in her presence,” said Mr Newman.
Newbon was either drunk or under the influence of alcohol in her presence most days. His behaviour deteriorated and he became increasingly aggressive, constantly accusing her of infidelity towards him and being jealous and possessive.
It led to arguments and Newbon constantly telephoned her to monitor who she was seeing and what she was doing. He would drag her away from social gatherings at her mother’s home or when she had been speaking to friends or acquaintances in the street.
“He also threatened to harm her on a number of occasions, including one where he attended at her home armed with a rock hammer, which he brandished in a manner calculated to intimidate her, and ordered her to return to his home,” said Mr Newman.
During one incident, Newbon had been drinking heavily and taking drugs at his home when he accused the woman of cheating on him and became abusive.
He locked the door, removed the key and told her that she would not be leaving until she admitted that she had been cheating on him. The woman tried to get out of the door but Newbon intercepted her, grabbed her by the top of her arm and forcibly dragged her backwards into the kitchen area.
“She struggled to resist,” said Mr Newman. “They both ended up falling onto the floor.” Newbon pinned the woman down as she tried to get up. He refused to let go of her and shouted that he wanted to search both her and her handbag.
Despite saying that he would let her go, Newbon continued to detain her for about three hours. “He continued during that time to be argumentative, causing her to fear that he would again resort to violence,” said Mr Newman.
The incident came to an end when a friend of Newbon came to visit him. Newbon let the friend into the house but told him that he must not let the woman leave.
“In the confusion, she seized her opportunity, pushing by the defendant’s friend and managing to get out of the house before he could react to stop her,” said Mr Newman. “She felt trapped in the relationship, hoping his behaviour would improve but it never did.”
The woman did not go for a medical appointment because Newbon thought that it was merely a cover for her to cheat on him with another man. “Eventually, the cumulation of these incidents persuaded her to report these matters to the police,” said Mr Newman.
Newbon was arrested on October 8. The woman later said: “The relationship was lovely for the first couple of months, then it changed. He became controlling and then he became physical.
“The impact this all had on me is immense. I can’t sleep, as when I close my eyes, I see him. I feel frightened to talk to anyone or socialise in case he finds out.
“I am jumpy at every noise even though he is not here. I feel like I have forgotten how to be me. I feel confused about the smallest of things and just don’t know what day it is.
“I feel worthless and it’s like a nightmare that I can’t wake up from. No one should ever have to feel like this. I hope he gets the punishment he deserves.”
Newbon had convictions for 20 previous offences, including assault in September 2013. His most recent conviction was in 2015 for theft.
Jane Rapin, mitigating, said that Newbon realised the effect that his behaviour had on the woman. “He does fully accept responsibility for his actions and he expressed genuine remorse,” said Miss Rapin.
“He absolutely knows he should not have done what he did. He is very sorry for what he did and what he put her through. He considers himself to be an alcoholic and a drug addict.
“He is motivated to stop using drugs and drinking alcohol.” Newbon had said: “I want to sort myself out.” He had previously worked as a chef in restaurants and he was positive about wanting to return to work.
Recorder Geraldine Kelly KC said of the woman’s ordeal: “It turned out to be a thoroughly miserable, frightening and painful time for her, thanks to you.” Newbon behaved in an “inexcusable, unacceptable, controlling and coercive way” triggered by drugs and alcohol.
“She is still scared of what you might do,” said Recorder Kelly. Newbon behaved in an “unreasonable, irrational, terrifying way” to the woman.
“These offences are so serious that only custody can be justified,” said Recorder Kelly. Newbon was jailed for 22 months and he was given a five-year restraining order.
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