'Jekyll and Hyde' boyfriend was 'kind and considerate' when sober - but abusive and controlling when he drank

A controlling boyfriend used his partner’s credit cards, brandished a knife in front of her and got a key cut for her home without her knowing. Michael Ferguson, 41, has been jailed for his crimes, which spanned a two-year period.

Ferguson met his victim in 2018 when they were both in rehab, prosecution barrister Chloe Booth told Minshull Street Crown Court. As their relationship progressed, Ferguson’s girlfriend became ‘scared’ of him, particularly when he had been drinking alcohol.

In December 2020, Ferguson brandished a knife and made threats to kill, but his partner did not support a prosecution for that incident, Ms Booth said. Defence barrister Sacha Waxman told the court that although Ferguson had pulled a knife out, he had threatened to harm himself rather than his girlfriend.

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During another incident, Ferguson turned up at the woman's Zumba class.

On March 7, he turned up at his victim’s Bredbury flat and asked for a drink. Despite asking him to leave, he turned up later that day before she discovered that he had a key cut.

Throughout their relationship, the court heard Ferguson made comments about his victim’s appearance that made her ‘upset’ and ‘uncomfortable. He also brought ‘another lady’ into her home.

At the start of May 2022, the victim noticed bank transfers between her accounts and Ferguson’s account. He also used her credit card.

His behaviour was uncovered following a call from a concerned caseworker to Greater Manchester Police. Ms Booth told the court Ferguson has a previous conviction relating to the abuse of a previous partner.

Ferguson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive