JORDAN PENMAN – PETERLEE, COUNTY DURHAM

 

Peterlee domestic abuser smashed into ex-partner’s mother’s home with brick after months of violence and controlling behaviour

A Peterlee man who subjected his partner to months of violence, intimidation and controlling behaviour before smashing his way into her mother’s home has been handed a three-year suspended prison sentence.

Jordan Joseph Penman, 27, left his former partner living in fear as his behaviour escalated from controlling outbursts to physical assaults, breaches of a non-molestation order and an incident in which he broke into the Hartlepool home where she had sought refuge.

Durham Crown Court heard the relationship initially began well, but Penman’s behaviour became increasingly controlling.

Prosecutor Martin Towers said one early incident saw Penman smash a mirror because he did not want his partner going out without him. Police were contacted and he was released on bail with conditions.

His angry outbursts became more frequent. The court heard he could be “awful” one day before “sweet talking” his partner the next, while she described how “the bad days got worse”.

Penman would also disappear for up to a week at a time to use cocaine.

The violence included hitting his partner to the back of the head with enough force to temporarily affect her vision. He also struck her nose until it “popped” and punched her thigh and ribs during an argument over old messages.

Despite suffering sore ribs, she did not seek medical treatment on that occasion. The prosecution said she generally sought help only when her injuries became severe and otherwise tried to recover by herself.

She finally ended the relationship on November 1 and moved into her mother’s home in Hartlepool.

However, Penman persuaded her to visit his home in Peterlee and then refused to allow her to leave.

She eventually contacted police and Penman was arrested. He was later released on bail on condition that he did not contact her.

A non-molestation order was subsequently obtained and served on Penman on December 19.

But just a week later, on Boxing Day, Penman used a brick to smash his way into his ex-partner’s mother’s Hartlepool home.

His former partner was hiding in an upstairs bedroom with her sister when he stormed upstairs.

The prosecution described Penman as appearing “full of rage” as he wrestled a phone from his ex-partner. Both women screamed in terror and one was struck in the face by his elbow during the incident.

Penman fled with the phone, which contained his ex-partner’s bank card.

He then used the card to withdraw £500 without permission, spending the money at bookmakers.

The prosecution described the incident as a “flagrant breach” of the non-molestation order.

Penman breached the order again on December 31 when he sent his former partner a “Happy New Year” text message.

He was arrested on January 16 and answered no comment during police interview.

Penman, of Tweed Close, Peterlee, initially denied the allegations. However, on the day his trial was due to begin in June, he admitted controlling and coercive behaviour, criminal damage to a mobile phone and window, common assault, two breaches of a non-molestation order, burglary and fraud.

His former partner told the court she had been left depressed and traumatised by his actions and felt he was ruining her life. She feared he could one day cause her serious harm.

Michael Forrest, defending, told the court Penman had used illicit drugs since the age of 13 and said his cocaine abuse had been the “catalyst” for his offending.

The defence said Penman accepted what he had done was wrong and regarded his behaviour during the relationship as “utterly stupid” and immature.

The court was also told that since being remanded in custody in January he had chosen to live on a drug-free prison wing and had become an “enhanced prisoner” with cleaning responsibilities.

Judge Amanda Rippon told Penman that his former partner had endured much of his violence in silence, describing her as having been “trapped” in an abusive relationship and living “in fear and intimidated”.

Although the relationship eventually ended, the judge noted that Penman’s behaviour towards her continued.

However, the judge said his conduct while on remand gave her hope that he could be rehabilitated.

She imposed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, describing that decision as an “exceptionally merciful course”.

Penman must also comply with 12 months of GPS monitoring, drug rehabilitation requirements and a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement.

A five-year restraining order prevents him from approaching or communicating with his former partner.

The judge warned that the suspended sentence was not a “get out of jail free” situation and that if Penman breached the requirements and returned before her, she would jail him with “no mitigation”.

Clare’s Law: If you are worried that a current or former partner may have a history of domestic abuse, you can ask the police for information under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare’s Law).