A 21-year-old woman is celebrating 'getting her spark back' after having escaped a coercive and controlling relationship with a man from Stockport.

Shannon, who was 17 when she entered the relationship, has shared her story to prove that life can get better, and also to clarify some of the signs of an unhealthy relationship.

After feeling 'the lowest she had ever felt' during the relationship, Shannon alerted her family and the police, and secured a conviction against her former partner.

Twenty-three-year-old Declan Walsh, of Stockport, received an eight-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, alongside a restraining order, rehabilitation activity and unpaid work, in July this year.

Declan had met Shannon when she worked in a cafe.

She said: "At first, it was nice, but very full-on. I moved into his family home and spent all of my time with him. It was my first relationship, so I didn't know what was happening wasn't normal.

"Looking back, I became isolated from the people closest to me very quickly.

"I remember my little nephew's birthday. I had bought him a present and wanted to see him open it, but he said I could just have it delivered. I wanted to go, but I knew the argument afterwards wouldn't be worth it.

"Little things built up until he was controlling my whole life. I stopped seeing my mum and dad. He had a tracker on my phone, so he would have known if I had gone to see them, which is so sad because my mum is my best friend.

"He controlled what I wore, what I ate and who I spoke to. I ended up deleting everyone from social media."

Shannon added: "Before meeting my ex, I was confident and loved spending time with my family and friends. But over the course of the relationship, that person disappeared.

"I completely lost myself. It was the lowest I had ever felt, to the point that I didn't want to be alive anymore.

"Even now, I struggle to trust people and sometimes choose not to go places because it feels safer to stay away."

But, after support from the police and counselling, Shannon has said life is getting better.

DC Elizabeth Andrews from Stockport CID said: "For years, Shannon's independence was stripped away from her. No one should have to live in fear or believe they have lost control of their own future.

"While the sentence was suspended, the outcome sends a clear message that coercive and controlling behaviour is a serious offence and will not be tolerated in Greater Manchester.

"Walsh now has a criminal conviction, is subject to strict court-imposed conditions and faces further consequences should he breach the terms of his sentence or restraining order.

"I would also like to praise Shannon for her immense bravery throughout this investigation. Speaking openly about what she had endured took tremendous courage."