BATLEY MAN JAILED FOR CONTROLLING AND ASSAULTING PARTNER IN HORRIFIC CAMPAIGN OF TERROR
Joshua Spry, also known by the name Joshua Foley and a resident of Bond Street in Batley, was convicted of subjecting his partner to a severe campaign of control and abuse.Over the course of their relationship, Spry forced her to remove all male contacts from her social media and financial apps.
He also threatened her with violence, saying he would “get someone to break her kneecaps” if she revealed his misconduct.
The victim noticed controlling behavior starting in October 2021, which rapidly escalated.
Spry began to monitor her calls and messages, interfered with her phone, and accused her of being paranoid and jealous.
He took her phone and threatened to smash it, refusing to give it back.
He also pressed her to delete pictures with men and limited her contact with the father of her children, even insisting she remove a photo of him from her child's bedroom.
His behavior deteriorated in December 2021 when he resorted to violence, punching her and imprisoning her, telling her she was not allowed to leave.
In January, he repeatedly punched her and threatened violence if she screamed, warning her against making noise.
After a dispute at her home, she confided in her sister, which led to her reporting Spry to the police.
During police interviews, Spry claimed he thought she was unfaithful and accused her of lying about the abuse.
The woman expressed her fear that she might carry out his threats and was worried he or someone else might harm her.
Spry had a record of 16 previous offences, including battery, wounding, and coercive control involving past partners.
He was sentenced to 42 months in prison for controlling behavior, coercion, and assault, and received a restraining order to prevent contact with the woman.
The judge described his treatment as “brutal, cruel, and cowardly,” stressing that he had caused her great distress and posed a serious risk to women he dated.
