DOMESTIC ABUSER JAILED AFTER SUBJECTING WOMAN TO REIGN OF TERROR
A man responsible for controlling and abusive behaviour towards his ex-partner has been sentenced to prison after subjecting her to nearly a year of intimidation and violence.Reece Haynes, aged 26, threatened his former partner and her friends regularly between February and December 2018.
His threats included causing serious harm, strangulation to elicit an apology, and physical assaults such as slapping and throwing fireworks at her, her child, and a friend.
Despite a five-year restraining order issued in October 2017 that prohibited him from contacting her, Haynes violated it in early 2018 by sending Facebook friend requests, messages, and texts.
In February, he appeared at her residence in Cambridge and refused to leave, taking control of the spare house key and threatening to break down the door if she attempted to change the locks.
During his prolonged stay, he monitored her movements and forbade her from leaving without permission.
Fearful of calling police, she only reached out to a friend for help in spring, prompting Haynes to threaten assault.
He physically attacked her by pulling her ponytail, slamming her onto the bed, and strangling her until she apologized.
In June, he brandished a kitchen knife, concealed car keys, and threatened her and her friend with stabbing if they left to buy food.
Despite his brief departure in July, Haynes kept contacting her with threats, claiming that someone was watching her house.
He manipulated her into meeting him at the railway station and illicitly used her bank card until she was forced to hide it.
He continued to threaten and assault her, including smashing doors and a glass chopping board, and repeatedly hitting her around the head.
On one occasion, after she expressed that she no longer loved him, he tore a door off its hinges and destroyed property.
On November 23, he entered her home using a stolen key, sneaked into her bed, and the following morning left in a car registered to him despite lacking a valid driving license or insurance.
Police apprehended him after he was stopped in the vehicle.
That same day, he took her bank card without permission and sent her threatening messages.
Police discovered marijuana hidden by Haynes during his arrest.
Initially denying the allegations, Haynes claimed he hadn’t seen her since 2017 but admitted to driving without a license or insurance, citing dislike of walking.
At court, he pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, drug possession, breaching a restraining order, and driving offenses.
He received a three-year prison sentence, was disqualified from driving for two years, and ordered to stay away from his victim with a new five-year restraining order.
