WINSFORD MAN JAILED FOR CONTROLLING AND VIOLENT ABUSE OF PARTNER
A 26-year-old man from Winsford, Joshua Verdin, was found responsible for a lengthy campaign of physical, emotional, and financial abuse directed at a woman.Throughout this period, he exercised control over her, isolated her from her social circle, and kept watch over her personal communications by regularly inspecting her phone and deleting messages he deemed inappropriate.
Verdin frequently accused her of infidelity and even claimed she was involved in prostitution, going to the extent of keeping her phone in his pocket to prevent her from contacting others.
He also took drastic actions such as stealing her glasses and taking photographs of them at another man’s house, falsely suggesting she was unfaithful.
Furthermore, he limited her hygiene routines and stopped her from dieting or styling her hair, asserting she was doing so to impress others.
He demanded money from her, saved her banking details on his phone, and resorted to physical violence, including pushing her out of bed while pregnant, which led to bruising, and kicking her in the head and body, causing her ear to split.
The case was uncovered in January 2024 after her mother raised concerns with the police.
Verdin was subsequently arrested and faced charges of coercive and controlling behavior as well as four counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Initially denying the charges, he later pleaded guilty before Chester Crown Court on August 27.
On October 11, Judge Steven Everett sentenced him to five years and two months in prison, additionally issuing a restraining order to keep him away from the victim.
Detective Constable Charlotte Wilson commended the victim’s bravery and reiterated the police’s dedication to supporting victims of domestic abuse, saying, 'He falsely accused the victim of infidelity, but in truth, he was the one being unfaithful, and she had done nothing wrong.
Fortunately, he has now been held accountable, and the public can see what a coward he truly is.'
