PAUL KEVIN HANLEY FROM HOLYHEAD SENTENCED FOR VIOLENCE AND COERCIVE CONTROL

Paul Kevin Hanley, a 30-year-old man residing on London Road in Holyhead, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after being found guilty of engaging in coercive and controlling behavior towards his former partner. The court heard that Hanley's relationship with the victim was marked by a pattern of intimidation, physical assault, and psychological torment, despite its brief duration.

According to prosecutor Ryan Rothwell, Hanley moved into the victim’s home just two weeks after they met, on October 14, and refused to leave, effectively trapping her in an abusive situation. The court was informed of a particularly violent incident at Hanley's mother's residence in Holyhead, where he physically assaulted his partner by punching her and biting her on the right side of her forehead. The injuries were severe enough to warrant hospital treatment, although no fractures were detected. Medical assessments revealed significant bruising across her entire body, underscoring the extent of the violence she endured.

Throughout their relationship, Hanley imposed strict and invasive controls over his partner. She was forced to keep the toilet door open whenever she used it and was not allowed to take her phone with her during such moments. Additionally, she was subjected to constant surveillance, including being told to look down while walking with him. The court was told that during a visit to see Christmas lights in Llangefni, Hanley's partner was not permitted to look at Hanley's friend Nathan, who was present. When she did glance at him, Hanley confronted her with the question, “Why the f*** are you looking at him?”

Further violence was inflicted when Hanley punched her six or seven times in a single incident, with the court noting that he was wearing two large, chunky rings on his hand at the time. In a desperate attempt to seek help, she opened a kitchen window, but Hanley allegedly responded by knocking her unconscious. She later woke up on the floor, indicating she may have been struck again during the assault.

On December 10, outside a pub, Hanley admitted to intentionally strangling his partner by getting her into a headlock. She described feeling as if she was going to die during the attack, and she heard a “pop” when he had his hands around her throat, which she believed was a sign of injury. In her struggle to escape, she bit Hanley's finger to free herself, prompting him to bite her nose in retaliation. The court was told that Hanley's actions left her feeling terrified and physically harmed.

The judge, His Honour Niclas Parry, presiding at Mold Crown Court, described the relationship as a brief but profoundly tormenting one. He emphasized the frightening level of violence, some of which occurred in public and involved elements of humiliation. In addition to the prison sentence, Hanley was subject to an indefinite restraining order that prohibits him from contacting his victim in any way. The court did not impose a separate penalty for the act of intentional strangulation, but the overall sentence reflects the severity of his conduct and the impact on the victim.