A man has been sentenced to 14 months in jail after engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour towards his partner. John Sharples, 54, from Thornhill Place, Longstanton, South Cambridgeshire demanded that his girlfriend provide him with evidence of her whereabouts, including bus tickets and receipts, in order to trace her movements.
Throughout their relationship, Sharples incessantly questioned the victim about her location, the people she was with, and how she had arrived there. He would meticulously scrutinise the evidence she presented and interrogate any discrepancies. Additionally, he would follow her to the shops and insist on accompanying her when she visited friends, waiting outside until she was finished.
The victim felt compelled to prove her whereabouts, fearing that Sharples would be unfaithful with other women. He would often belittle and mock her, calling her crazy. Furthermore, Sharples’ constant desire to know who she was talking to on the phone made it difficult for her to maintain contact with others. In an attempt to prevent him from reading her text messages, she even changed a friend’s name in her phone to “NHS notification.”
On May 5, 2021, the victim falsely informed Sharples that she had an appointment at her child’s school so she could visit a friend. During her absence, Sharples bombarded her with calls and texts. When she returned home, he was furious and forcibly took her to the school to prove the appointment had taken place. His aggression towards the victim and staff prompted the school to contact the police.
At the beginning of his trial in August, Sharples changed his plea to guilty for engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour. He was subsequently sentenced to 14 months in jail at Cambridge Crown Court on November 9.
Detective Constable Jess Davey emphasised the seriousness of coercive and controlling behaviour, highlighting that it is a criminal offence that will not be tolerated. Such domestic abuse can have a profound impact on victims, causing fear, intimidation, and the loss of personal autonomy. She urged anyone experiencing domestic abuse to contact the police or reach out to the national domestic violence helpline for support and assistance.
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