Jealous dad jailed for controlling and invasive behaviour

JEALOUS DAD JAILED FOR CONTROLLING AND INVASIVE BEHAVIOUR

A man from Nottingham, a father of three, became so consumed by jealousy that he installed tracking devices in his partner’s handbag and vehicle, suspecting infidelity with her employer.

Nottingham Crown Court heard that Ben Straw also visited her workplace repeatedly over a span of nine months to check on her.

The 50-year-old, from Ruddington, further took photographs of her perfume bottles, claiming they had been relocated or altered, and manipulated the security cameras at their home to log her movements.

He falsely accused her of sharing photographs of herself with another man.

In a victim impact statement, she described feeling "unable to trust anyone again".

Straw was sentenced to 14 months in prison, with Judge Steven Coupland commenting that his unfounded jealousy prompted obsessive behaviors that left her "emotionally and completely broken".

Prosecutor Abigail Hill explained that from February to November 2023, after the couple met in 2017 and experienced breaks and reconciliations, Straw’s disturbing conduct began.

He accused her of cheating, monitored her WhatsApp messages, and altered security footage to follow her activities.

Straw pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behavior, with no previous criminal record.

The court also issued a lifelong restraining order, prohibiting him from making contact with the woman or visiting her addresses.