A SOLDIER who tried to stop his girlfriend receiving pain relief as she gave birth has been jailed.

The 24-year-old also grabbed her by the throat as she was in labour at Harrogate District Hospital, said Matthew Collins, prosecuting.

“There cannot be a more vulnerable position for a woman to be in,” said Judge Simon Hickey.

York Magistrates Court heard last month how midwives were so concerned by the boyfriend’s behaviour towards the teenage mother-to-be they contacted police.

Mr Collins said the soldier made death threats to try to stop his partner making a witness statement against him.

It was the culmination of 17 months of controlling and coercive behaviour by the career soldier as he tried to humiliate and degrade her.

His actions included forcing her to ask for permission to go to the toilet and then record herself to prove that she was on the toilet, said Mr Collins.

In a personal statement, she revealed how she was terrified every time she heard or saw a car like the soldier’s, how he had affected her mental health and how it had affected her self-confidence.

She said she couldn't trust people now.

She also said she found it very traumatic that social services were involved with her and her child because of the soldier’s actions.

The 24-year-old, formerly of North Yorkshire, and now of Scotland, pleaded guilty to coercive behaviour, from September 2019 to January 2021 including during all three national lockdowns, and assault. He had a previous conviction for domestic abuse in a different relationship .

He was jailed for 18 months and made subject to a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting the woman by any means including social media.

Probation officers assess him as posing a high risk to future partners, the court heard.

He is not being named to protect the woman.

Defence solicitor advocate Kevin Blount said the Army was already taking steps to end the boyfriend’s military career.

“He is someone who is crying out for help,” he said. “He would wish to apologise to the victim and to express his remorse and very sincerely regrets he has acted in this way and the harm he has caused her.”

The soldier wanted to change his ways, said the defence solicitor.

Mr Collins said the soldier had made the woman write out lists of promises daily to the boyfriend and spend her money on clothes for him, parts for his car and other items for him.

He had isolated her from her family.