MAN SENTENCED TO 31 MONTHS FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE, THREATS, AND DANGEROUS DRIVING
A 24-year-old man, James Rogers, also known as James Heckingbottom, has been convicted and sentenced for a series of violent and controlling domestic abuse incidents.According to reports, Rogers engaged in a campaign of harassment and violence against his former partner, whom he had been with since 2020.
The court heard that he threatened to leave her father's hearse covered in mud during her funeral, and also threatened to post explicit images of her on social media.
Rogers bombarded her with up to 100 calls daily, demanding to see her and threatening to harm her physically: "I'll kill you, you dirty, dirty sl*t," and "I'll snap your chin." He also made specific threats to disrupt her father's funeral by riding a bike to her funeral procession and spray mud on the hearse.
Throughout their relationship, which was described as 'violent and abusive' with Rogers exhibiting 'extremely jealous, paranoid and controlling behaviour,' his victim stated she felt 'in fear for her life.' He was involved in a physical altercation on May 12, which resulted in her having scratch marks and a black eye.
Despite being issued a domestic violence protection order and subsequent bail conditions banning him from contacting her, Rogers continued his harassment, notably on September 30, when he called her more than 100 times from a withheld number while she was at her flat.
He was ultimately arrested and later remanded in custody at Altcourse prison.
During his time in custody, Rogers called her again, initially pretending to be kind but then claiming he expected only a light sentence, as he believed he would receive only probation.
His ex-partner described how his actions had impacted her mental health, saying she no longer trusts anyone and cannot properly grieve her father.
Additionally, Rogers engaged in dangerous driving in St Helens, riding an unlicensed off-road motorbike at high speed before crashing into a van.
His behaviour showed a pattern of manipulation, threats, and violence, including threats to make her public with intimate photographs and to disrupt her father's funeral.
Today, Rogers was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 31 months in prison for threats, coercive behaviour, stalking, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, dangerous driving, and driving without a licence or insurance.
The judge noted his manipulation and abuse during their relationship, emphasizing her vulnerability, and also imposed a 10-year restraining order and a disqualification from driving for almost three years.
The court recognized his remorse and his acknowledgment that his behavior was out of character, with him seeking help for his emotional issues.
Nonetheless, the sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the need to protect victims from such destructive conduct.
