A carer from York has been spared jail despite subjecting his teacher wife to a catalogue of bullying and abuse.
Cedric Pierre-Louis Brisson, 47, was so controlling he scolded his wife for receiving innocent messages and falsely accused her of having an affair with her deputy head, York Crown Court heard.
He also kept a machete and an axe under their bed, which his wife only discovered after he was arrested.
The father-of-two, of Count de Burgh Terrace, ultimately admitted using controlling or coercive behaviour, common assault, criminal damage and possessing cannabis.
Ms Barnes said that Brisson started bullying and assaulting the victim at their home in York even before they married in August last year.
They had met in December 2020 and between then and October last year, “jealous” Brisson subjected her to “appalling behaviour” which was “violent and controlling”.
The victim said she had been left so traumatised she had sought counselling, was taking anti-depressants and struggled with everyday tasks.
On June 5 last year, Brisson was “screaming and shouting” at his wife after she received a marketing email. He demanded to know who had sent the email because it had come from a man.
He punched her in the arm “while screaming at her” and snatched her mobile phone to prevent her trying to get help. He then hit his own head against a wall, saying he would “blame her” if police were called.
She ended up having to lock herself inside a room to call police, said Ms Barnes.
Towards the end of their relationship, Brisson started accusing her of sleeping with the deputy head at her school, which was a figment of his imagination. This led to an argument lasting “all night”.
The following day, she locked herself in a room but Brisson smashed through the door and punched her on the arm.
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The victim suffered bruising following each assault, said Ms Barnes.
Brisson even restricted the amount of time she could spend in the bathroom.
He was finally arrested after the victim found a stash of his cannabis on October 15 last year and called police.
The marriage was now over.
Morbid jealousy
Alex Menary, mitigating, said Brisson was suffering from a mental condition at the time of the offences.
He said Brisson was a working man, a good father and at the time of the Covid pandemic he had re-trained as a carer.
Since the offences, he had voluntarily started a course for those who carry out domestic violence. He was also taking medication for mental-health problems and had accepted that he had “morbid jealousy”.
Recorder Geraldine Kelly described Brisson’s offences as “malicious and calculating”.
She told him: “You subjected (the victim) to appalling behaviour: jealous, controlling, violent, totally unnecessary, and it must have been utterly exhausting and upsetting (for the victim).
“She felt isolated, was controlled and no doubt was very upset by the behaviour. The trauma is real and long-lasting.
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“This was extremely abusive, bullying, manipulative behaviour. You were bombarding her with messages at school to control her because all you cared about was you and what was going on in your mind.
“You were violent out of jealousy. It was manipulative bullying. She now has difficulties trusting anyone.”
Ms Kelly said Brisson’s offences were so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, but that she could suspend the sentence because he was trying to “make amends” and improve himself through psychological therapy.
The 12-month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and participate in 25 rehabilitation-activity days.
Ms Kelly also imposed a five-year restraining order prohibiting Brisson contacting his former wife. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation for the damaged door.