Serial abuser went to better relationships course before fatally beating his girlfriend

A SERIAL domestic abuser finished murdering his girlfriend after attending a probation service course on "building better relationships", a court heard.

- Paul Jeeves

Stephen Todd, 41, spent several days fatally beating Melissa Eastick, 36, just three months after receiving a suspended sentence for an earlier attack on her.

He was also ordered to go on the course to reduce his risk of reoffending. But after the session on October 12 last year, he returned to his flat in Sunderland and continued stamping on and punching Melissa, who was a mum.