Drug thug spent four hours kicking ex's door in Morley while demanding cash
Man has a history of domestic violence
A controlling partner made a woman’s life a misery, demanding money and refusing to leave her alone before eventually attacking her.
Scott Preston spent four hours banging on the terrified woman’s door on one occasion, then later attacked her and another male in the street.
The 50-year-old admitted controlling or coercive behaviour, assault and ABH.
Leeds Crown Court heard that he had pleaded guilty to the three offences on the day he was due to stand trial.
Prosecutor Zanisha Herbert said the couple had been together for 10 years. In January he came to her home in Morley, kicking her front door demanding to be let in.
When she relented, he rifled through her belongings and took £40 in cash.
On January 25, he returned and spent hours kicking and banging her door and shouting insults. She sat inside hoping he would just leave, before eventually dialling 999.
He did leave before the police arrived.
Then in February, he attended her home demanding money. She gave him £10 but he made threats to kill himself and he eventually left with £37.
He returned later that evening wanting more. Again, he fled before the police could arrive.
Finally, on February 25, she left the address with another male and they were about to get into taxi when Preston “came out of nowhere”.
He tried to assault the woman, but the male intervened and he was punched at least three times to the head.
He fell to the ground and Preston turned to the woman, striking her to the side of her head and sending her to the ground.
She was able to call the police again and he was arrested.
Preston, of Lords Buildings, Morley, gave largely no comments during his interview but denied the offending.
He has 43 previous convictions for 71 offences, including affray and assault. He was previously convicted of stalking a partner.
He appeared in court from HMP Leeds where he was being held on remand.
Mitigating, Martin Morrow said drugs had been an issue for Preston.
Judge Simon Phillips KC called it “unattractive, disgusting behaviour” and told Preston: “You should be ashamed of yourself.
“You could not complain if you were to serve an immediate custodial sentence.”
He called it “prolonged” domestic violence involving two partner in the past 20 years.
He handed Preston an 18-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, and ordered him to complete 20 rehabilitation days with probation and a nine-month drug-rehabilitation requirement.
An indefinite-length restraining order was also put in place.