'Any man comes near you, you’ll both end up in a box': Accrington abuser jailed after reign of terror
A violent and controlling Lancashire man who subjected a woman to years of abuse, intimidation and threats has been jailed for eight years.
Daniel Halstead, 39, formerly of Park Street, Accrington, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Thursday (January 23) after a jury found him guilty of a catalogue of serious offences, including coercive and controlling behaviour, non-fatal strangulation, assault and threats to kill.
A lifetime restraining order has also been imposed to protect his victim.
Campaign of control and violence
The court heard how Halstead first assaulted the woman in January 2019, strangling her inside a property in Accrington.
Although she did not report the attack at the time, Halstead was jailed later that day for an unrelated assault.
The pair remained in contact while Halstead was in prison and after his release, but the relationship ended in September 2023 when the victim discovered he was having an affair.
Despite the split, Halstead attempted to rekindle the relationship, showering her with gifts and declarations of love.
His behaviour later turned increasingly hostile towards the end of 2024, after another woman he was seeing became pregnant.
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Threats made in front of her child
Halstead began threatening the victim in person, over the phone and via text message.
On one occasion, he told her in front of her young son that if “any single man comes near you, you’ll both end up in a box.”
The victim became so frightened that she struggled to sleep, was constantly anxious and became physically unwell, losing a significant amount of weight.
In March 2025, Halstead followed her to a friend’s house, later parking outside her home and shouting at her, warning she “wouldn’t like the outcome” if she continued to “play games” with him.
The following day, he bombarded her with messages and voicemails while she was out with family, claiming he was waiting outside her house.
So fearful was the victim that she felt compelled to send him a photograph to prove where she was.
‘Just watching you’
On Valentine’s Day 2025, Halstead attended the victim’s workplace with flowers before sending her repeated messages.
In one chilling message, he wrote: “Just watching you lol, it’s nice when you don’t know I’m there haha.”
On another occasion, he questioned whether she had bought a new dressing gown, leading her to believe he had been watching her through her windows.
The abuse escalated further on March 16, when Halstead confronted the victim at her son’s football match, pushing her with his head and swinging a punch at her mother.
Eight-year sentence and lifetime restraining order
Halstead was arrested two days later and charged with multiple offences.
Following a trial in October, he was convicted and returned to court this week to be sentenced.
In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman told the court: “At the moment, I feel that I don’t have to constantly look over my shoulder.
“I am now managing to sleep at night because I feel safe in knowing that he is currently away from me in prison.”
She added that she has since been diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, requiring medication.
Police praise victim’s bravery
PC Carl Guest, from Lancashire Police East Response Team, said:
“Halstead is a controlling and cowardly bully who sought to mentally, physically and emotionally dominate the victim through a sustained campaign of abhorrent behaviour.
“She has shown a great deal of bravery and strength in breaking free and reporting what he had done. I hope she can now begin to rebuild her life, free from Halstead’s tyranny.”
Where to get help
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse or who feels unsafe in a relationship is urged to report concerns to police online or by calling 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
Support is also available via No Excuse for Abuse and Victim Support Lancashire, which offers confidential, non-judgemental help.