DOMESTIC ABUSER WHO TOOK OVER WOMAN'S HOMELESS ACCOMMODATION
William Varey, a resident of Church Street, Ightfield, Whitchurch, was convicted of abusive and controlling behavior towards his former partner, which involved moving into her homeless accommodation and causing her such emotional turmoil that she relapsed into alcoholism.He was subsequently sentenced to nearly two years in prison.
Varey also assaulted his ex-partner and stole jewellery, the court was told on Tuesday.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court, it was revealed that 46-year-old Varey entered the homeless housing where his former partner was staying on the same day he was released from prison after publicly declaring his love for her.
Prosecutor Rosemary Proctor explained that after his release on August 26 of the previous year, Varey went directly to a tanning salon where his victim often went.
He then expressed his love and moved into her Oswestry home, provided under the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme.
Ms Proctor stated that Varey took her keys to keep her from leaving and blocked her access to her domestic abuse support services.
She further described how both the support worker and the victim’s sister noticed marked shifts in her personality.
The witness said the woman appeared anxious, and she confessed to her support worker that she had drunk two bottles of vodka in one night.
During a video call on September 11, the woman told her sister she had locked Varey out of her property.
Her sister advised her not to go outside, but she chose to walk her dog.
During this episode, her sister heard Varey’s voice and the woman shouting, “Get off me William, you are hurting me.” Varey reportedly grabbed a phone from her and broke it on his knee, and also stole a ring and bracelet following a bite on her hand.
Police were called to the scene, and Varey was taken into custody.
He pleaded guilty to charges including controlling behavior, theft, assault causing bodily harm, and criminal damage earlier this year.
The court acknowledged that the victim had left her alcohol detoxification program and was distressed, eager to leave her residence.
Judge Deni Mathews highlighted that Varey’s most serious offense was his controlling and coercive conduct.
He told Varey, who had 11 prior convictions, “You in effect imposed yourself in her home.
You took away her door key so she could not get out of the property and proceeded in your controlling and coercive behaviour.
You kept her in the house and you treated it as your own”.
The judge added that Varey’s actions caused her to experience pushing, shoving, and a desire to escape her environment.
He stressed that his coercion disrupted her ongoing efforts to recover from alcohol dependence.
“In my judgement that was very serious distress that had a substantial effect on her.” the judge said.
Varey was sentenced to 23 months in prison.
Given the high risk of him reoffending, the sentence could not be suspended, and it was to be served immediately.
A restraining order was also issued, barring him from contacting the victim.
