Murtaza Syed, 47, has been sentenced to over two years in prison at Peterborough Crown Court for subjecting his wife to shocking abuse and treating her “like a prisoner in her own home.” Syed coercively controlled his wife, enforcing strict rules to humiliate, degrade, and dehumanize her over a span of two years.
Syed, of Peterborough, prevented his wife from closing the bathroom door, examined her body for marks indicating infidelity, and deprived her of a mobile phone or any other electronic devices. He even forced her to take a lie detector test and attacked her physically, stopping her from leaving their home unaccompanied.
Cambridgeshire Police were alerted to the abuse on February 23, when the woman managed to contact them. She reported that she had been mentally and physically abused by Syed for two years. The most recent assault took place on February 18, when Syed threw a lighter at her eye and punched her repeatedly in the head.
Syed was arrested just before 4 a.m. on February 23. During her interview with the police, the victim detailed the coercive and controlling behaviour she had endured. She revealed that she hadn’t had a phone for two years since Syed broke hers and wasn’t allowed another. Syed also constantly changed the pins and passwords for the devices in their house, preventing her from seeking help.
The woman described herself as “not free” and officers noted her fear of repercussions from Syed. In his police interview, Syed denied all offences and claimed the woman was fabricating the allegations. However, he confirmed making his wife take a lie detector test, which she had passed.
Syed later pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour and one count of causing actual bodily harm (ABH). On July 11, he was sentenced to two years and six months in prison at Peterborough Crown Court. A restraining order was also issued indefinitely, preventing him from contacting his victim.
Detective Sergeant Louis Scott commented on the case, saying, “The impact of Syed’s behaviour on his wife shouldn’t be underestimated; she was left feeling helpless and like a prisoner in her own home. No person should have to suffer this kind of abuse, and it’s important to also highlight that domestic abuse isn’t always just physical. Victims can also suffer from the threat and fear of injury, daily intimidation, and having every aspect of their lives monitored and controlled. Coercive control is a criminal offence, and as this case highlights, we take all reports of it very seriously.
He urged anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to contact the police or call the national domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.
