MAN SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR IN STOCKPORT
A man has been jailed for more than two years following a prolonged campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour.James Saxon, 29, of Ludlow Road, Stockport, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to two years and three months in prison and given a five-year restraining order after admitting to controlling and coercive behaviour, assault, and possession of an offensive weapon.
The offences took place over a three-year period, from January 2022 to April 2025.
In a statement heard in court, the victim described years of manipulation, surveillance, threats, and violence.
Saxon showed no remorse and continued to harass the victim even after his arrest.
She said: "His controlling and coercive behaviour slowly took away everything—my confidence, my safety, my independence, and my peace of mind.
"I lived in constant fear of what he might do next.
"What hurts the most is that during this time, I was pregnant.
"The stress, fear, and emotional abuse I suffered led to me losing that baby.
"That loss broke me.
"I feel like James is going to harass me forever, and I fear for my family’s safety.
"I remember after I miscarried in January 2025, James’s behaviour was awful towards me.
"Every time I cried, he told me to ‘get over it.’ "James would scream at me whilst driving, saying he would write the car off with us both in it.
"The physical assault left me with pain and injury to my neck, but the emotional scars run far deeper." The victim explained how Saxon isolated her from friends and family and applied emotional pressure to maintain control.
His frequent use of cocaine, cannabis, and steroids fuelled paranoia and aggression.
He monitored her movements, restricted her independence, and used threats to dominate her.
Footage from the victim’s Ring doorbell showed Saxon yelling aggressively not only at her but also at neighbours and clients.
In March 2025, Saxon followed the victim in his car and tried to retrieve a concealed cosh from the back seat while stopped at traffic lights.
Greater Manchester Police officers intervened and arrested him on the scene.
Despite being placed on bail, Saxon continued to contact the victim through social media, text messages, and in person.
He verbally threatened her, followed her car, and threatened her family.
He also interfered with the sale of their shared home and removed the security system after his arrest.
During his police interview, he laughed throughout and showed no remorse.
The victim testified that Saxon once locked her in a room, refusing to let her out as she cried and begged.
In another incident, he punched a wall in A&E after she suffered a miscarriage.
In court, he was reportedly seen laughing as the victim delivered her statement.
Police Constable Elizabeth Andrews from Stockport’s Domestic Abuse Team said: "This case demonstrates the devastating impact coercive and controlling behaviour can have on victims.
"Over several years, Saxon systematically stripped away the victim’s sense of self with relentless emotional abuse.
"The victim has showed immense bravery by coming forward and speaking out against Saxon, and I urge anybody is a similar situation to always report this behaviour, as nobody should live in fear."
