A man from Beaconsfield has been jailed after being convicted of coercive control and criminal damage.
James Edward Stewart, 42, of Yew Tree Close, was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Friday, November 19, to two years’ imprisonment, and made the subject of a restraining order for a period of six years to protect the victim.
He pleaded guilty at the same court in earlier hearings to two counts of criminal damage, and one count of engaging in coercive behaviour.
Stewart had been involved in a relationship with the victim, a woman in her thirties, for a number of years.
However, between 2017 and 2019, and mainly fuelled by drugs and alcohol, Stewart threatened, intimidated and emotionally abused the woman.
Stewart also used physical violence which included hitting her with a crutch, biting her, slapping her, grabbing her face and putting his arm around her throat.
Some of the abuse happened after the victim had separated from Stewart.
Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police a man has been sentenced after being convicted of coercive control...
Posted by TVP Chiltern and South Bucks on Saturday, 20 November 2021
He also damaged the woman’s car on two occasions.
Following a report in April 2019, Stewart was arrested and an investigation was conducted before he was officially charged in November of that year.
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Detective Constable Arshid Ali of CID, said: “This relationship of domestic abuse had a significant impact on the victim regarding her health, well-being, family, work and social life with incidents often occurring in front of her young children.
“I want to thank the victim for her bravery in seeking help by making the initial report to police, her continuous support throughout the investigation and attending court to read out her victim personal statement on the impact the abuse had on her so that her voice could be heard.
“Coercive control can be the most damaging and risky form of abuse and less likely to be reported to police as patterns of controlling or coercive behaviour occur in ongoing relationships between intimate partners or family members.
“Often, the signs are not recognised and it is a pattern of behaviour that takes place over time, in order for one person to exert power, control or coercion over another.
“This can involve not only incidents of physical violence but also psychological, emotional and financial abuse.
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“Thames Valley Police will never tolerate domestic abuse and take all reports seriously.
“Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sexuality or background.
“If you are experiencing domestic abuse, always dial 999 in an emergency. In a non-emergency, you can call 101 or make a report online at the Thames Valley Police website.
“If you do not want to speak to the police, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.”
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