MAN JAILED FOR OVER 3 YEARS FOR OFFENCES INCLUDING CONTROLLING COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR AND STRANGULATION
David Chandler, aged 56 and residing on Hart Plain Avenue, appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on December 8, 2025, to face charges for offences against a woman he was in a relationship with during the period from June 23, 2024, to June 30, 2025.He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
After an eight-day trial, the jury convicted him on all counts, and he returned to the same court on February 20, 2026, for sentencing.
The court was informed that Chandler engaged in coercive, threatening, and violent behaviors aimed at exerting control over every aspect of the woman’s life.
His tactics included tracking her movements, limiting her outings, and frequently calling her to check on her.
He also scrutinized her use of her personal phone and regulated what she could wear and buy.
Chandler accused her of looking at other men, restricted her communication with them, and even pressured her into a breast surgery to change her appearance in front of others.
Further details revealed that he threatened to damage her property and her family’s belongings.
His control extended to her business, where he changed its name, banned male customers, dictated which services could be offered, altered the signage and visual presentation, removed her social media accounts, and damaged business property.
The court heard how he demeaned and undermined her, pushing her to embarrass herself before her clients.
In addition to controlling and threatening actions, the jury found Chandler guilty of physical violence.
He was convicted of intentionally strangling the woman on March 29, 2025, and assaulting her multiple times between June 23, 2024, and June 30, 2025.
His assaults included strangulation, hitting her, pulling her hair, restraining her, and grabbing her head during these incidents.
