A 37-year-old man who tried to control his girlfriend's life used her finger while she was sleeping to access her phone to see who she had been messaging, a court has heard.

Daryl Brocklehurst and the victim had been in a seven-month relationship during which he became "increasingly controlling towards her" and wanted her to "live her life by his rules".

King's Lynn Crown Court heard Brocklehurst, who took steroids, drunk too much and would often "overpower her", wanted to know who she was with and where she was going whenever she was out. 

King's Lynn Crown CourtKing's Lynn Crown Court (Image: Newsquest) Chris Youell, prosecuting, said the victim was woken up early one morning to find him "using her finger to unlock her mobile" in order to "find out who she had been messaging".

On another occasion, when the victim was out with her mother, Mr Youell said Brocklehurst became jealous and "jumped in front of her car" in an incident which led to police being called.

Mr Youell said the victim was "terrified" of Brocklehurst and suffered "significant psychological harm" as a result of his behaviour between February and October last year.

In statements, the victim described how she was "terrified"  as a result of the "toxic and abusive" relationship which has been the "worst thing for her mental health".

Brocklehurst, of Hope Court, North Lynn, appeared in court on Friday after he admitted coercive and controlling behaviour and another offence of witness intimidation.

Stephen Mather, mitigating, conceded it had been a "toxic" relationship but said Brocklehurst had been in custody for the past eight months and suggested the court impose a suspended sentence with conditions to "help put him back on the right path".

Imposing a two-year prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, Recorder Paul Garlick acknowledged the offending had been "serious" although he wanted Brocklehurst to get the help he needed.

Brocklehurst was also ordered to carry out up to 40 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR), given 100 hours unpaid work and a 120 day alcohol abstinence requirement.

He was also made the subject of a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.