BARRY MAN JAILED FOR CONTROLLING BEHAVIOUR AND SPYING ON FIANCÉE
A man named Lee Winmill, aged 45 and from Barry, was found guilty of installing surveillance cameras at his residence to observe his fiancée without her consent.His actions caused her considerable distress, with her describing her experience as 'a living nightmare,' as he played psychological games throughout their relationship.
Prosecutor Owen Williams explained that Winmill falsely accused her of infidelity with workmen and kept her isolated from her family and friends, controlling who she could see.
The cameras were used to track her movements and listen in on her conversations, which limited her ability to leave the house or host visitors.
She ultimately ended their engagement in July last year, citing the situation as 'like a prison' and describing the aftermath as 'a living nightmare.' Winmill acknowledged engaging in controlling and coercive behavior from December 2023 to September 2024.
At Cardiff Crown Court, he received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work, attend a 30-day rehabilitation program, and was issued an eight-year restraining order preventing her contact.
He was also instructed to pay court costs of £500 and a victim surcharge of £187.
