HOCKLEY THUG JAILED FOR 27 MONTHS
The 28-year-old individual from Richmond Road, Hockley, received a 27-month prison sentence in October 2021 after admitting to charges of controlling and coercive conduct along with assault.One week following an encounter with the victim at the German Market, he assaulted her, resulting in a bleeding nose.
His abusive actions included slapping her across the face without any apparent reason and once throwing a bottle of shower gel at her head, which caused bruising and a noticeable lump.
During the sentencing, Judge Avik Mukherjee described the offence as 'a deeply serious matter,' emphasising the gravity of controlling and coercive behaviour.
The judge also remarked that such conduct had severely impacted her mental well-being.
This legislation was enacted in response to campaigning by Women’s Aid and other organizations, aiming to criminalise coercive control.
Farah Nazeer, the charity’s chief executive, expressed concern that prosecutions remain low, citing victims’ fears of disbelief and not being taken seriously.
She highlighted the importance of ongoing training for police and judicial personnel from domestic abuse specialists to better recognise and understand these crimes and the underlying dynamics of abuse.
Nazeer also called for the justice system to encourage women to come forward and to send a clear message that domestic abuse, including coercive control, will not be tolerated.
A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council stated that police responses to domestic abuse have significantly improved in recent years, with continued collaboration with charities and partners to enhance officers’ understanding of its severe impact.
The spokesperson noted that officers are trained to identify signs of coercive behaviour and support victims effectively.
While arrests and prosecutions are on the rise, there is still progress to be made in ensuring investigators and prosecutors fully comprehend these offences.
Police are encouraged to work closely with Crown Prosecution Service teams to share training resources and consistently consider coercion and control in domestic abuse cases.
Although not all perpetrators are charged specifically with coercive and controlling behaviour, they may still face charges such as stalking or assault.
Efforts to improve case recording aim to recognise cases that meet the legal criteria for coercive control, even if it does not directly result in an arrest, with officers prioritising victim safety and case-building in worsening situations.
