NORTHAMPTON MAN IMPRISONED AFTER LEAVING EX-PARTNER WITH ‘NIGHTMARES’ AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF COERCIVE CONTROL
A man from Northampton has been sentenced to prison after his abusive conduct towards his former partner caused her to suffer nightmares for over a year.Norbert Stari, aged 37 and residing on Semilong Road, appeared before Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, July 14, following his conviction for controlling and coercive behavior.
The court reviewed that between April 2017 and November 2018, Stari subjected his ex-partner to degrading treatment, including repeated threats and acts of violence such as spitting at her, pushing her to the ground, and delivering flyers to her residence to distress her.
Further, details revealed that in April 2017, Stari grabbed the victim’s hair, pushed her to the floor, causing her face to hit the edge of the bed and chip her teeth.
In January 2018, the couple traveled to Serbia with the intention of staying for three weeks, but after taking control of passports and travel documents, Stari returned alone to the UK, leaving his partner stranded in Serbia for eight months and causing her significant debt.
The court noted that Stari’s actions aimed to pressure her into retracting allegations he faced in another matter.
After their UK return, he continued to exert pressure on her until police intervened when he kicked down her door to gain entry.
Prosecutor David Cleaver stated that the victim also had to leave her job because Stari arranged for his new partner to start working at the same company, which created unavoidable issues.
CCTV footage showed Stari following the victim in town and, on one occasion, he visited her home at night with another man demanding entry.
In a statement, the victim said: “It was very hard to survive emotionally.
He wanted to humiliate me and make me feel down, forcing me to lose my self-respect and dignity.
I’ve been having nightmares for months and worry whenever I go out in public.” Stari has a prior conviction from 2015 in his home country for assault causing actual bodily harm, involving a different victim.
He received a community order for that offence.
During mitigation, Liam Muir described Stari as a “hardworking man” who needs support to prevent future harm, highlighting his family dependents including his pregnant partner and mother in Hungary, whom he visits monthly.
A prison report described Stari as having a “positive attitude” and being helpful.
His Honour Judge David Herbert remarked: “Your behaviour has had a profound impact on her.
It was clear from her testimony that her time with you was a matter of survival, and she is understandably frightened.” Stari was sentenced to 13 months in prison, and an indefinite restraining order was imposed.
