A man who subjected two women to coercive and controlling behaviour has admitted a series of offences at Newcastle Crown Court and is now awaiting sentencing.

John Curry pleaded guilty to six charges on the first day of what had been listed as a six‑day trial on 23 March. He had originally faced 12 counts in total.

Offending against two victims

The court heard that Curry carried out a pattern of abusive behaviour against two women over separate periods. His guilty pleas covered a range of offences, including coercive control, assault and breaches of protective orders.

Victim 1 – Guilty to:

• Coercive and controlling behaviour
• Assault occasioning actual bodily harm
• Breach of a non‑molestation order
• Intentionally sharing an intimate photograph

Victim 2 – Guilty to:

• Coercive and controlling behaviour
• Common assault

Re‑offending while on bail

Curry had been on a GPS tag and curfew for a year while awaiting trial. However, the court was told he re‑offended against the second victim while still on bail, leading to him being remanded into custody.

He has been held at HMP Durham since October 2025.

Sentencing set for May

Curry is due to be sentenced on 18 May. The judge will consider the full circumstances of the offending, the impact on both victims and the fact that he breached court‑imposed conditions.

Coercive and controlling behaviour has been a specific criminal offence since 2015, recognising patterns of intimidation, isolation and abuse that may not always involve physical violence but can have devastating effects.

TrueNorth News will report the outcome when sentencing takes place.