Manchester Man Who Threatened To Kill Girlfriend Jailed

5 September 2011, 16:36 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A Manchester man who assaulted and threatened to kill his girlfriend has been sentenced.

20 year old Christopher Cunningham was found guilty of five assaults, criminal damage and threats to kill following an earlier trial.

At Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square today, Monday 5 September 2011, he was sentenced to 15 months.

Between December 2010 and February 2011, Cunningham repeatedly assaulted his then girlfriend, aged 22.

He threatened to kill her and chillingly said he would put her in the boot of his car, drive her to the moors and bury her.

While at work on 20 February 2011, the woman broke down and confided in colleagues, telling them about the catalogue of abuse and threats. At the same time Cunningham called her and a number of colleagues heard him threatening to burn down her place of work and kill her dad.

Detective Sergeant David McCulloch, of south Manchester CID, said:

'Cunningham is a controlling and violent individual - with previous convictions for violence against men and women - who used physical and verbal abuse to intimidate and frighten a woman he was supposed to be in a relationship with.

'His behaviour was completely unacceptable and the victim made every effort to appease him when he lost his temper.

'After three months of abuse she broke down in front of her work colleagues and told them about her ordeal. Even as she was receiving their support Cunningham phoned her and made very disturbing threats, which they all heard.

'I want to praise the victim for coming forward and telling me what she had lived through and I am also grateful to the witnesses who gave evidence during this trial. This allowed the jury to hear about the horrendous details of this case.

'We have specially trained staff across Greater Manchester who are dedicated to working closely with victims of domestic abuse to help them get out of dangerous relationships and away from controlling and violent partners - be they men or women.'