JOHN NICHOLSON SENTENCED IN BRAMPTON FOR ASSAULT AND COERCIVE CONTROL IN CUMBRIA

A man identified as John Nicholson has been formally sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court following a conviction on charges related to assault and coercive control. The 59-year-old resident of Loanwath Road in Dumfries received a custodial sentence of two years and six months.

The assault conviction stems from an incident that took place in Brampton back in July 2009, where Nicholson was accused of physically harming a woman. This particular offence was part of the evidence that led to his conviction, highlighting a troubling history of violence.

In addition to the assault charge, Nicholson was found guilty of engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour towards a different woman over a prolonged period spanning from 2009 to 2021. These offences reflect a pattern of abusive conduct that severely impacted the victim’s well-being and autonomy.

Detective Constable Emma Armstrong, who is part of the Cumberland CID, provided a statement emphasizing the nature of Nicholson’s abusive actions. She explained, “Nicholson engaged in coercive and controlling behaviour. He was controlling in relation to the woman’s friends, he was degrading towards her and discouraged her from roles at work.”

DC Armstrong further described the emotional toll on the victim, stating, “The woman was often left in fear due to his threatening behaviour throughout the relationship.” She also underscored the importance of supporting victims, saying, “It is understandably difficult for victims of abuse to talk about what happened to them and any reports we receive will be taken seriously and will be dealt with professionally and sensitively.”

The police officer highlighted the collaborative efforts of the authorities, noting, “The Constabulary works closely with trusted partner agencies to provide the appropriate support which is tailored to an individual’s circumstances. These offences will not be tolerated by Cumbria Constabulary, and we will do everything within our power to hold them accountable for their actions and bring them to justice.”

DC Armstrong encouraged victims of similar offences to come forward, assuring them of ongoing support: “I would encourage anyone who has been subject to offences of this nature to come forward so that our officers can investigate. You will be supported throughout our investigation.”

Members of the public seeking to report domestic or sexual abuse are advised to contact the police either online via www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it or by calling 101. In emergency situations or if a crime is in progress, dial 999.

For additional information on available support services for victims of domestic or sexual abuse, resources are accessible through the Cumbria Police website, including guidance on domestic abuse and the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law, which allows the police to disclose previous history of violence or abuse of individuals. To apply for this scheme, visit - Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | Cumbria Police.