RICHARD CLEMENT FROM PORT TALBOT SENTENCED FOR COERCIVE CONTROL AND ABUSE

A court has detailed the disturbing case of Richard Clement, a man hailing from Port Talbot, who subjected his partner to a prolonged period of control, intimidation, and violence spanning approximately three years. The victim, whose identity remains protected, recounted a series of harrowing incidents that paint a picture of relentless abuse and manipulation.

According to her testimony, Clement frequently demanded money from her and would go to great lengths to isolate her from communication with others. He would often seize her phone, effectively cutting off her ability to seek help or confide in friends and family. His behavior was characterized by jealousy and immaturity, with the victim describing him as acting more like a naive teenager than a grown man in his late 30s.

One particularly alarming episode took place on New Year’s Eve last year. Clement insisted that she drive him to a friend’s house, but when she refused, he became aggressive. He took her car keys and forcibly made his way to her vehicle. During this confrontation, Clement physically assaulted her, forcing her to the ground and kicking her repeatedly in the ribs. He then threw her to the ground again, demonstrating a violent and controlling demeanor that left her feeling terrified and helpless.

Another incident occurred in January of this year. After the victim returned home following a night out with friends, she discovered Clement in her bedroom. His presence was unwelcome and invasive. He responded by grabbing her by the hair, pinning her against the bathroom door, and calling her a “slag.” He then demanded that she drive him to a friend’s house to prove her whereabouts. The situation escalated further when Clement threw a block at her car, adding to the sense of ongoing threat and intimidation.

Initially, the victim was too frightened to report these incidents to the authorities. However, her courage eventually grew, and she disclosed her experiences, which led to Clement’s arrest. During police interviews, Clement dismissed the evidence against him as “sh*t” and even threatened to physically assault the detective questioning him, revealing his aggressive attitude and lack of remorse.

In court, the victim provided an impact statement describing the severe psychological toll the abuse has taken on her. She revealed that she now suffers from flashbacks and panic attacks, and is currently on medication to manage her mental health. She expressed her fear, recounting how Clement had threatened to “send people around” to harm her, leading her to believe he had connections capable of inflicting serious harm.

The court was informed that Clement has a lengthy criminal history, with convictions for 21 offenses, including actual bodily harm (ABH), battery, unlawful wounding, and threats to kill. Notably, he served time in June 2021 for dealing cocaine on the streets of Port Talbot. Clement pleaded guilty to charges of coercive and controlling behavior, ABH, and criminal damage. He was sentenced to two years in prison, receiving a one-third reduction for his guilty plea.

The judge described Clement as a “cowardly bully” and an “immaturely jealous man,” condemning his conduct as “disgraceful” and highlighting the profound impact it had on the victim. It was also noted that Clement will serve up to half of his sentence in custody before being eligible for release on licence, emphasizing the seriousness with which the court viewed his actions.