Biggleswade man jailed for threats and controlling behaviour to partner

A Biggleswade man has become the first person in Bedfordshire to be convicted of exercising coercive and controlling behaviour, following an investigation by the force's Emerald team.
A 28-year-old man has been jailed for three years for dealing on streets of Skegness. ANL-170525-153830001A 28-year-old man has been jailed for three years for dealing on streets of Skegness. ANL-170525-153830001
A 28-year-old man has been jailed for three years for dealing on streets of Skegness. ANL-170525-153830001

Ricky Pritchard, 34, of Potton Road, pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling behaviour and was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Wednesday (June 21).

The judge handed him an 18-month stint behind bars, plus four months to run consecutively for breach of a restraining order, taking his time in jail to 22 months. He also received an indefinite restraining order, restricting his access to areas of the county, to further protect the victim.

Pritchard entered his plea via live link to court from prison, as he is currently serving time for breaching a restraining order issued after an offence of criminal damage where he smashed the victim’s phone during an argument.

Pritchard restricted the movements of his ex-partner and her right to freedom. He would demand to see her phone, took over her social media and email accounts, spent hours trawling through her location settings and would challenge her, making her account for her whereabouts throughout the day. Pritchard would also pressure his ex-partner into lending him money; which he never repaid.

Even after separation the abuse and intimidation continued with threats that he was ‘coming to find her’, telling her to ‘be careful’ and even threatening sexual violence.

When sentencing Pritchard, the judge described the case as a “shocking catalogue of controlling behaviour, tantamount to taking away the victim’s identity”. He went on to describe the behaviour as “degrading”.

Investigating officers from the force’s Emerald team, dedicated to tackling domestic crime and serious sexual offences, are delighted with the conviction.

Detective Constable Gareth Jones said: “Pritchard’s appalling actions had a substantially adverse effect on the victim’s day-to-day activities. The victim has displayed such bravery and courage in having the strength to come forward. I would like to praise her for that and hope the sentence goes some way to allow her to live her life again without the constraints of this appalling behaviour.”

Detective Constable Pat Mallen said: “Pritchard showed total disrespect for the victim and the law, even during interview he had an abusive and condescending attitude. Despite separation and with a court order in place Pritchard continued this abusive and threatening behaviour. He curtailed her freedom and we are sending a strong message to those that think this is acceptable that we will take action.”

Detective Inspector Aaron Kiff, force tactical lead for domestic abuse, said: “The conviction is the first of its kind in Bedfordshire and marks our ongoing commitment to victims in tackling these types of offences.

“Coercive control is subtle – it isn’t always obvious what has happened and the victim may not recognise the behaviour as abuse. The desire to control often underpins abusive relationships and can lead to violence. It’s our job to identify the wider vulnerability of domestic abuse, to recognise and understand the dynamics of abuse.”

If you are concerned about someone, or feel you are in a controlling relationship, support is available. Please contact us on 101, you will be listened to. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively you can contact the 24-hour National Domestic Violence helpline 0808 2000 247.

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