MAN SENTENCED FOR CONTROLLING AND COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR AND STALKING PARTNER
Rhodri Harries, a resident of Maesywerin in Gwaun Cae Gurwen, received a prison sentence after subjecting his partner to controlling and coercive conduct.Having known her for over ten years, Harries maintained persistent contact through messages and phone calls, revealing his clear insecurity.
He impersonated another man named Dean Thomas to send the victim explicit sexual messages via Facebook, making her believe she was under surveillance.
Harries played along with this false identity, which caused her considerable distress; she even began sleeping with a knife beneath her pillow.
His conduct involved sending messages from a fake profile containing vulgar sexual remarks and personal details, further convincing her that she was being stalked.
The police investigation traced the mobile phone associated with these messages to Harries himself.
Although he denied involvement, he offered an unusual explanation, suggesting the phone activity could have been caused by a stalker following him.
Harries was charged and appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where prosecutors emphasized the cruelty and emotional harm inflicted upon the victim.
She described feeling 'completely destroyed' and unable to trust others, feeling she had become a shell of her former self.
The court sentenced Harries to 12 months in prison, with a potential release after serving half, subject to licensing.
He was also ordered to stay away from the victim indefinitely and barred from entering Pembroke.
The judge described his behaviour as 'bizarre but also wicked,' acknowledging his guilt and the damage caused.
The sentence aimed to address his insecurity issues while ensuring the safety of the victim from further abuse.
