Man imprisoned for four years after years of inflicting 'misery' through controlling and coercive behaviour

MAN IMPRISONED FOR FOUR YEARS AFTER YEARS OF INFLICTING 'MISERY' THROUGH CONTROLLING AND COERCIVE BEHAVIOUR

A 20-year-old man has been sentenced to four years and four months in prison following his involvement in controlling and coercive conduct.

At the same court session on November 7, he was also convicted of offences including unlawful wounding, assault resulting in actual bodily harm, and common assault.

The court was told that he attacked the victim on Milton Common on Thursday, February 15, after she restarted a relationship with him the previous month.

On the same day, he attempted to assault her again at her home in Buckland, as well as at her mother’s residence.

Police inquiries revealed that earlier in the year, on January 27, he had held a knife to her throat.

The victim, who remains anonymous, endured threats of violence, social isolation, and was forced to delete her social media profiles.

She also had to send images of herself to prove her whereabouts.

Police Staff Investigator Kennedy Kirk commented: “Ramsden’s conduct deeply affected the victim and her family.

They had known each other for several years, with his coercive control starting in 2021.

It was only after the assault was reported earlier this year that we gained a clearer understanding of the pattern of behaviour that led to these events.

While not all witnesses from Milton Common on February 15 could be found, the credible testimonies of the victim and her family formed a strong case, resulting in Ramsden’s substantial custodial sentence.” A restraining order will prevent Ramsden from approaching the victim and her mother for 15 years.

Kirk further expressed hope that the court’s decision allows the victim and her family to begin healing, emphasizing that Ramsden’s imprisonment will prevent further suffering.

He underlined that controlling and coercive offences are serious crimes with devastating effects, and police take such reports very seriously.

The sentence is meant to reassure the public that support is available for victims to come forward.