MANIPULATIVE MAN HAD 'A HOLD' OVER WIFE'S LIFE FOR 10 YEARS
A court has heard that a man subjected his wife to a decade of abusive and controlling behaviour, demonstrating violence and manipulation throughout their relationship.Simon Macpherson's abusive actions ranged from physically attacking his wife on multiple occasions to mocking her mental health and dragging her out of their family home’s living room by her hair simply so he could watch television alone.
Witnesses described living with Macpherson as feeling like 'constantly living on eggshells' due to his unpredictable and volatile conduct.
Even after his arrest, he continued to harass his wife by violating bail conditions, including hiding under a trampoline in their garden.
Prosecutor Nicola Powell explained that Macpherson met the victim at a church in Cheltenham in 2010 and married her later, initially seeming 'kind and thoughtful' but eventually revealing his abusive nature through various forms of violence.
Incidents included pulling his wife by her hair during a car ride along the M5 motorway, mocking her mental health issues, and returning home from the kitchen with a knife in hand.
Following one assault, she escaped through a window to seek help.
It was also revealed that Macpherson boasted about assaulting his wife during a church meeting and continued to exert control over her in Swansea, even wrestling her during a school run and refusing to give back her phone.
He pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour and assault by beating, resulting in a 25-month prison sentence, with the possibility of serving up to half before release on license.
Additionally, he was issued a five-year restraining order banning him from entering Swansea’s West Cross area.
During sentencing, concerns about his mental health were raised, describing it as fragile, and it was noted he had previous convictions for indecent assault in 1992 and driving under the influence of alcohol in 2006.
The victim described her ordeal as 'living on eggshells' and expressed her determination to rebuild her life for her family’s future.
