Plymouth man jailed for controlling and violent abuse of ex-partner

Lee Blatchford, a man from Plymouth, has been convicted and sentenced for a campaign of violent and controlling behavior towards his former partner. During court proceedings, Blatchford entered guilty pleas to five charges, including controlling and coercive behavior in an intimate or family relationship, perverting the course of justice, assault by beating, and two counts of intentional strangulation. The court sentenced him to two years and 11 months in prison, and a restraining order was issued to protect the victim. Police reports detailed how the relationship, which lasted about a year, turned increasingly abusive within six months, with Blatchford becoming paranoid, controlling, and physically violent. He prevented the victim from communicating with her children, often locked her inside the house, withdrew her money by stealing her bank card, and forced her to keep her phone under constant surveillance. The victim was also denied the opportunity to see a doctor despite medical issues. Court evidence recounted how Blatchford strangled her until she struggled to breathe and dragged her back into the house when she attempted to leave. Additionally, Blatchford made efforts to pervert the course of justice from prison by instructing others to contact the victim and coerce her to drop the case. Insp Christopher Kinski from Devon and Cornwall Police praised the victim’s bravery in disclosing her abuse and emphasized that domestic violence would not be tolerated. The case highlights the authorities' commitment to investigating and prosecuting such offenses to ensure accountability.