In sentencing Darren Allen Harley, 42, of Waldergrave Crescent in Nowra Local Court last year Magistrate Michael Stoddart called him a bully, a coward and a despicable human being.

Harley had pleaded guilty to contravening an apprehended violence order, stalking and intimidation intending fear or physical harm (domestic) and destroying property.

The court heard he had been in a relationship with a woman for eight months after having met in August 2014 on the dating website RSVP and had purchased a house together in Vincentia.

The court heard not long after moving in together their relationship became intense, with Harley becoming suspicious and controlling, questioning why she was late getting home from work and accusing her of having sex with other men.

It was alleged during an argument he said “I’m going to stick a screwdriver in your spine so you’ll never walk again then I’m going to kill you.”

The court heard Harley continue to torment the woman, waking her by shining a head torch into her face.

Her statement said Harley “would take it easy on her”  if she told the truth and admitted to having sex with other men.

“If you don’t I’m going to slice you up like the whore you are,” the court heard.

At the time he was on three 12-month suspended sentences for similar domestic violence related charges.

Magistrate Stoddart revoked the 12-month suspended sentence and ordered 12 months’ jail with a non-parole period of six months from September 23.

He sentenced him to six months’ jail for breaching the AVO, starting March 23, 15 months with non-parole period of nine months starting March 23 for the stalk/intimidate charge and three months for the destroy property charge.

Before Judge Dina Yehia in Parramatta District Court on Thursday, Harley successfully had that sentence reduced to 12 months from September 23, 2015 to September 22, 2016, with a non-parole period of three months.