A MAN who followed his former partner around Teignmouth in a bid to catch her with another man has been jailed for four years after subjecting her to a campaign of violence and controlling behaviour.

William Hatton, 41, of Torquay, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after being found guilty at trial of two counts of intentional strangulation, two assaults by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

The court heard Hatton had been in a relationship with the victim, but after a short period his behaviour became increasingly controlling.

He wanted to be in her company constantly and became upset when she left the house alone.

He discouraged her from getting a job, repeatedly told her that she needed to listen and obey, and insisted that tracking apps remained enabled on her phone.

Hatton also forced the woman to translate calls and messages from her native language into English.

He made comments about her contact with family and friends, resulting in her losing contact with them for extended periods.

On one occasion, Hatton followed her around Teignmouth because he believed she was meeting another man.

The court heard there was no other man.

A search of Hatton's property also uncovered an observation room in the attic, which the victim had been prevented from entering. Inside were multiple monitors showing live camera feeds.

The first assault happened during a verbal argument when Hatton pushed the victim into a mirror, causing it to smash.

Around a month later, he strangled her while pushing her into the corner of a sofa.

He told her words to the effect of: ‘look how little it takes me to stop you from breathing’.

Hatton then strangled her for a second time during the same incident and warned her that he would hurt her family if she went to police.

The final assault occurred after the victim went to Lidl and put her phone on do not disturb because she wanted some time alone.

Hatton called her seven times.

She answered on the seventh call and he demanded to know where she was.

When she returned, Hatton became irate and took a tea towel, wrapping it around her face and mouth before forcing her to the floor.

During the incident, he made threats which caused the victim to fear for her life.

She managed to turn onto her front in an attempt to free herself, but Hatton continued holding the tea towel and repeatedly smashed her face into the floor, causing facial injuries.

She eventually managed to escape.

The court also heard that Hatton had installed an app on the victim's phone which allowed him to track her movements and listen in.

Officer in the case, PC Diana Graszek, praised the victim for her ‘immense bravery’ in reporting what she had suffered.

She said Hatton had inflicted ‘great physical suffering’ while going to ‘great efforts to limit her freedom and control her life almost entirely’.

PC Graszek encouraged anyone experiencing domestic violence or controlling behaviour to report it to police.

She said reports would be investigated and steps taken to safeguard victims.

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse can report it to police on 101 or through the force's website. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999.