Man subjected partner to years of abuse

Darren Hesketh, 57, from Sutton Leach, St Helens
-Credit:Merseyside Police


A man subjected his long-term partner to years of abuse. Darren Hesketh, from Sutton Leach in St Helens, was jailed for three years and six months at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, January 30.

The 57-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of controlling and coercive behaviour and was later sentenced for his crimes. Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Lauren Baker said Hesketh "traumatised" his former partner and abused her telling her to kill herself.

In a statement, she said: “We are committed to tackling any form of abuse or violence against women or girls. The victim was in a long-term relationship with Hesketh. Over the course of the relationship, he has traumatised and abused her telling her to kill herself.

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“Thankfully Hesketh pleaded guilty, and he was sentenced quickly which saved the victim the ordeal of having to go through the legal process or relive the experience in court by way of a trial. We hope this sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate any violence or abuse against women and will use our powers to bring people to justice.

"We will also ensure that victims are given the support and action that is required at their time of need.” If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support: NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail help@nspcc.org.uk and Childline – call 0800 1111.

You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here. There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.

In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.