OLD TRAFFORD MAN JAILED AND GIVEN FIRST INDEFINITE DOMESTIC ABUSE PROTECTION ORDER
A man who assaulted and subjected two women to coercive and controlling behaviour has been issued with Greater Manchester's first indefinite domestic abuse protection order (DAPO).Shamar Guthrie-Ellis was also sentenced to four years in prison when he appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated that the 22-year-old, from Ayres Road in Old Trafford, was prosecuted after a thorough investigation involving two of its domestic violence teams.
One of Guthrie-Ellis's victims was praised by police for being 'incredibly brave' in reporting her abuse.
In her victim impact statement, she expressed that Guthrie-Ellis's actions had left her 'emotionally devastated'.
She shared that she struggled to communicate her experiences, leading to frequent absences from work, which ultimately resulted in her losing her job.
She also revealed that her relationship with Guthrie-Ellis caused her to distance herself from friends and family to avoid further arguments and physical injuries.
GMP highlighted that the DAPO was meant to protect the victim and emphasized the importance of the 'IsThisOk?' campaign to raise awareness about coercive control.
Guthrie-Ellis also pleaded guilty to assaulting a female police officer by kicking her and causing bleeding during her attempt to arrest him.
The investigation, initiated in March 2024 after the first victim reported abuse from 2021 to 2022, uncovered his pattern of controlling behaviour, including invading her privacy, social isolation, and causing injuries requiring hospital treatment and surgery.
While on bail for offences against the first victim, a member of the public reported an incident involving Guthrie-Ellis and a second woman, which led police to discover similar controlling behaviours towards her, including location monitoring and threats of violence.
Detective PC Hannah Colwell described the first victim as 'incredibly brave', noting that despite concerns about the time elapsed, convictions and sentencing demonstrate the police's dedication to justice.
The court imposed an indefinite DAPO to safeguard the second victim even after the case concluded.
