MARYPORT MAN GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR MONTHS OF COERCIVE CONTROL AND VIOLENCE
A WEST Cumbrian woman was subjected to months of controlling and aggressive behaviour by her partner.For several months up until February of this year, the partner of Maryport woman John Chawner, 26, experienced what she later described as a “living hell” due to his behaviour, Carlisle Crown Court heard.
The defendant, of Mosedale Crescent, Maryport, admitted engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship.
The woman and Chawner began a relationship in mid 2023 and moved in together.
But after a few months, she became concerned about his behaviour, overhearing conversations about him wanting to stab people.
He also showed aggression to her and his mother, she said.
She was aware Chawner had previously been to jail, and although she did not know what for, her suspicion was that he was violent.
After they began cohabiting in March 2024, there were frequent arguments.
Besides being aggressive towards her, he would smash objects in the house.
They argued about money and his drug spending.
As the relationship progressed, Chawner became “very jealous” and controlling, isolating her from others.
“I wasnt allowed to see anyone without him,” she said.
He controlled everything and coerced her into only doing what he wanted.
Judge Nicholas Barker acknowledged Chawner's previous violent offence when he assaulted a man with a wrench, resulting in a sentence that ended in March 2023.
The judge noted that Chawner appeared remorseful and was determined to address his past offending, according to a probation officer.
Chawner himself was a victim of domestic violence as a child, witnessing his father’s violence, and lacked the ability to prevent his own violent behaviour.
There had been “multiple methods of controlling and coercive behaviour,” as well as violence on several occasions, remarked Judge Barker.
Although the offence warranted a prison sentence, he decided to suspend a 22-month sentence for two years so Chawner could work with professionals to work on his issues.
The sentence imposed included 160 hours of unpaid work, 120 days of monitored alcohol abstinence, and participation in a Building Choices programme.
Furthermore, a five-year restraining order was put in place to prevent any contact with the victim.
