MAN JAILED FOR COERCIVE CONTROL OF PARTNER IN CARAVAN
A man responsible for seven years of violent abuse towards his partner has received an eight-year prison sentence.Antonio Villafane, a resident of Tintern in Monmouthshire, kept Sally Ann Norman confined in a caravan, forced her to conceal her bruises with a full face covering, and used her £280,000 divorce payout on himself.
During his sentencing at Newport Crown Court, Judge Daniel Williams, who also referred to him as Anthony Manson, remarked that Villafane had followed the domestic abuser’s typical strategy.
The couple initially lived off-grid in a caravan near Tintern after meeting in 2015, at a time when Mrs Norman’s 25-year marriage was ending.
A jury was told that the 64-year-old nurse and therapist escaped from Villafane in July 2022, after he attempted to strangle her during her 61st birthday celebration.
The judge described how Villafane appeared charming and caring, masking his true violent nature.
Mrs Norman, in a statement to the court, expressed feelings of guilt and shame for being misled by him.
She explained that their relationship rapidly intensified, leading to her isolation from her family and friends, including her children.
He prevented her from attending her father's memorial service in Edinburgh and confiscated her mobile phone, claiming it was a privilege to be earned.
Their secluded lifestyle facilitated his secret abuse, as recounted by the court, including beatings with fists and a walking stick, and forcing her to remain in the caravan for hours without sustenance.
She has since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, and her injuries have caused balance problems requiring her to walk with a stick.
Her testimony detailed Villafane tying her up and submerging her head into a muddy toolbox until she nearly fainted, as well as forcing her to stand naked alone in cold darkness to beg for forgiveness.
Villafane’s criminal record includes 15 convictions for a total of 37 offenses ranging from violence, theft, fraud, drug offences, and offenses involving offensive weapons and public disorder, dating back to 1971.
Earlier this year, he was convicted of animal cruelty for neglecting a horse's welfare.
Defence lawyer Martha Smith-Higgins mentioned Villafane's prior diagnosis of personality disorder with psychotic features.
In addition to his prison term, he was handed an indefinite restraining order to prevent contact with Mrs Norman and her close relations.
Addressing Villafane, Judge Williams stated that he chose silence in court instead of testifying, leaving the burden of defending himself to Mrs Norman.
He criticized Villafane for relying on false claims in his police interview, claiming she was delusional and that his intentions were only to help her.
The judge emphasized the profound impact of his actions on her, describing her life as notably shattered, with many aspects left in ruin.
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Previously, Antonio Villafane (Anthony Manson) was convicted of an offence under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and was given an 18-week custodial sentence for the death of a pony that died of neglect.
The Magistrates Court imposed an Indefinite Animal Disqualification Order under Section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, prohibiting Mr Manson from owning, keeping, or being involved in the care or transport of animals, with the exception of dogs.
