SHEFFIELD MAN JAILED FOR CONTROLLING AND ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR TOWARDS PARTNER

A man named Mohammed Anwaar, aged 27, has been sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behavior, as well as nine counts of assault and criminal damage. Anwaar was found to have exercised abusive control over his partner for approximately two years, beginning in May 2014. South Yorkshire Police described his actions as exercise of control over his partner's social life, including telling her what she could eat and wear, and ensuring he was with her at all times. Det Con Ian Chamberlain stated: "He told her what clothes to wear, when she could see her friends and family and made sure he was with her at all times. Both physical and mental abuse occurred over a prolonged period, and I would like to praise the woman in coming forward and reporting the matter to us. This enabled us to bring Anwaar to justice and provide the necessary support to help her move forward. The conviction is significant, especially as legislation making coercive and controlling behavior a criminal offense was only introduced in December 2015. Supt Natalie Shaw, the lead for domestic abuse in South Yorkshire Police, confirmed this was the first successful conviction under the new law in the area. The case highlights the importance of reporting such abuse, which can severely limit victims' basic human rights, as emphasized by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Alison Saunders.