ANDREW HARTLEY

CONTROLLING HUSBAND SENTENCED FOR CHRISTMAS DAY ASSAULT AND COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR

A man named Andrew Hartley, aged 41, from Barnsley, had been happily married for 15 years until his drug use and suspicions caused a breakdown in his relationship.

On Christmas Day, Hartley spat in his wife's face and assaulted her, hitting her over the head with a scooter handlebar after accusing her of having an affair.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that Hartley's behavior deteriorated after he began taking cocaine in November 2020, asking for passwords to his wife's devices, and accusing her of racking up debts and speaking to other men.

He further damaged her property by smashing her mobile phone on December 13.

Hartley grabbed his wife around her neck, causing her to struggle to breathe, and on Christmas Day, hit her in the face and pulled her by her hair before throwing her out of their house.

She later returned and was spat at twice.

The court heard that Hartley then picked up a scooter handlebar and hit her over the head.

He expressed remorse during the sentencing, blaming his wife for the relationship breakdown via messages to his children.

The court accepted that jail would not be appropriate given her wish for no prison, sentencing him to 13 months suspended for two years, including a four-month curfew from 10 pm to 5.30 am, and 35 days of rehabilitation activities.

Hartley admitted to controlling and coercive behavior and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.