A Tyneside man subjected his partner to a relentless seven-year campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour, using humiliation, strict “rules” and emotional abuse to dominate almost every part of her life, a court heard.

Graeme Magee, from Tyneside, was exposed in court for the way he treated the woman behind closed doors, turning what should have been a family home into a place of fear, criticism and control.

“Rules”, punishments and constant criticism

The court was told that Magee routinely subjected his partner to verbal abuse and “punishments” if she did not meet his expectations. He imposed strict views on what her role in the house should be and made it clear he believed domestic chores were “her job”.

He would demand that she complete certain household tasks and would lose his temper if they were not done to his standards. The woman was left feeling as though she was constantly walking on eggshells, never knowing what might trigger another outburst.

Prosecutors said Magee used offensive and degrading language towards her, including in front of their children, undermining her confidence and authority as a parent. Over time, the pattern of behaviour chipped away at her self-esteem and sense of independence.

Weight demands and control over her body

In one of the most disturbing elements of the case, the court heard that Magee refused to have a baby with his partner unless she lost weight and was under eight stone. This demand was used as another form of control, tying her hopes of expanding their family to his strict conditions about her appearance.

The woman was left feeling judged and scrutinised over her body, with her partner’s approval made conditional on her weight. The court heard that this added to the emotional pressure she was already under and deepened the power imbalance in the relationship.

Isolation and control during the pandemic

The controlling behaviour continued into the Covid pandemic, when the victim was working from home as a key worker. Rather than easing the pressure, the court heard that Magee used the situation to tighten his control.

While she was working remotely, he threatened to turn off the home’s Wi‑Fi if she worked past her finishing time, because he expected her to stop and cook his tea. Even her paid employment, which was essential during the pandemic, was treated as secondary to his demands.

The court was told that this threat was not an isolated incident but part of a wider pattern in which Magee dictated how she spent her time and who she could prioritise, reinforcing the message that his needs came first.

Isolation tactics and impact on family life

Alongside the verbal abuse and household “rules”, Magee used isolation tactics to keep his partner under control. The court heard that he limited her independence and undermined her in front of others, including their children.

Over the seven-year period, the woman became increasingly cut off and worn down. What might have looked like an ordinary family from the outside was, in reality, a home dominated by one person’s temper, demands and rules.

Prosecutors described the behaviour as a sustained pattern of coercive and controlling conduct, rather than a series of isolated arguments or disagreements.

Coercive control: a criminal offence

Coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence in England and Wales. It covers patterns of behaviour that are used to dominate, isolate, humiliate or frighten a partner, even where there may be little or no physical violence.

Courts now routinely hear evidence of how abusers control money, work, friendships, family contact, movement and day‑to‑day decisions. In this case, the court was told that Magee’s behaviour left his partner feeling trapped, undermined and constantly anxious about his reactions.

Case outcome and next steps

In court, Magee’s behaviour was laid out in detail, including the verbal abuse, the household demands, the weight‑related conditions and the threats made during the pandemic. The case was presented as a clear example of long‑term coercive control inside a relationship.

Sentencing and any further legal outcomes were to be determined by the court, taking into account the length of the abuse, the impact on the victim and the presence of children in the home.

The case has once again highlighted how coercive control can operate behind closed doors for years before it reaches a courtroom, and how victims can feel trapped in situations that outsiders may not fully see or understand.

TrueNorth News will continue to follow coercive control and domestic abuse cases across the North East, shining a light on behaviour that too often remains hidden until it reaches the courts.