Controlling thug tormented woman with 'extreme sexual demands and fantasies'
A controlling and coercive bully has been jailed in one of Britain's heftiest ever sentences of its kind.
Thug Liam Allott subjected the woman to a years-long campaign of abuse, a court heard, controlling every aspect of her life and forcing his "extreme sexual demands and fantasies" on her.
The 37-year-old from Sheffield was jailed for more than three years on Monday in one of the most significant sentences for controlling and coercive behaviour alone since it was officially made a crime in 2015.
Sheffield Crown Court heard Allott "repeatedly harassed his victim, threatening her and controlling her life" in a pattern of abuse that dated back many years.
The nature of his control ranged from extreme sexual demands and fantasies to emotional, mental and financial control, leaving his victim scarred.
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Allott was jailed for 37 months at Sheffield Crown court (PA)His brave victim came forward to report his abuse after the new laws were passed as part of the Domestic Abuse Bill, and Allott was arrested in February 2020.
He pleaded not guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and was convicted in court, where a judge on Monday sentenced him to three years and one month behind bars, as well as handing him a 15-year restraining order.
Detective Constable Sian Rumblow, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "I am pleased that Allott has been rightly handed a custodial sentence.
"He terrorised his victim over a number of years, controlling and abusing her.
"I hope that, whilst it cannot undo the pain he has caused, this sentencing can help to provide her with closure and enable her to move forward in her life.
"I’d like to commend her bravery and courage in coming forward and reporting what was happening to her."
Prosecution rates for controlling and coercive behaviour remain incredibly low in England and Wales, with more than 94% of reports of the crime in 2021 not resulting in any form of punishment.
The Ministry of Justice said a small number of perpetrators had been jailed for over four years for the crime, putting Allott's up there with the few, yet biggest, punishments so far.
A 36-year-old man from Manchester, Mohammed Imtiaz, was jailed for three years for the crime in December after it was heard he controlled what his ex could and couldn't wear, threatening to disfigure her with acid if she didn't comply to his demands.
Another man, 20-year-old George Balchin from Portsmouth, was jailed for two years and 11 months in September last year for a similar, threatening pattern of abuse against a former partner.
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Controlling and coercive behaviour is defined as patterns of behaviour in intimate or family relationships to control and isolate a victim, and can carry a maximum sentence of five years.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk.
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