A WOMAN claimed her husband had become controlling and manipulative just two years into their 18 year marriage.

She said over time his behaviour got worse and she ended up living in fear of Nigel Booth.

And in a victim impact statement Ann Booth said she wished she had ended the relationship years ago.

Booth, 53, of Primrose Street, Clitheroe, pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour within a relationship.

He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months with a 30 day rehabilitation activity requirement at Blackburn Magistrates Court. He was also ordered to pay £300 costs and £115 victim surcharge and made subject to a restraining order for 24 months.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Mrs Booth gave instances of her husband's controlling behaviour over the years, including threatening to harm her cat if she went out.

"He liked everything done for him and she always had to tell him where she was going and with who," said Miss Akhtar. "She didn't go to her work's Christmas party because she was worried he would do something to her cat."

Booth would tip her out of bed if she didn't get up when he asked and she told how 15 years ago she woke to find her hair had been hacked off. Following the death of her mother he forced her to give him the money she had inherited and spent it on drink.

"He taunted her that she had no where to go and no-one to turn to following the death of her mother," said Miss Akhtar.

In her victim statement Mrs Booth said she was happy her door locks had been changed.

"I am getting more sleep because I don't have to worry about him coming home drunk and shouting at me," she said.

Sardar Asghar, defending, said his client, who works as a bar man in the Brown Cow in Clitheroe, accepted the relationship had broken down and became a marriage of convenience.

"They lived separate lives under the same roof and that lead to frustration and confrontation," said Mr Asghar.

"He accepts on occasions this led to pushing and throwing her out of bed. He has never been involved in any criminality before and the prospect of a custodial sentence, which terrifies him, has been praying on his mind since January."