A controlling boyfriend has become the first person ever to be convicted of coercive behaviour without a victim statement.
Steven Saunders, 31, was jailed for 18 months for ‘aggressive and manipulative’ behaviour against his pregnant partner.
The case is the first the crime of coercive and controlling behaviour has led to a prison sentence without the need for a victim statement or involvement from an already vulnerable and terrified victim.
Steven Saunders, 31, was jailed for 18 months for ‘aggressive and manipulative’ behaviour against his pregnant partner
Saunders, of no fixed abode, manipulated his partner to such an extent that he removed her from supported accommodation and forced her to live on the streets where he would hold her bank card, spend her benefits and even force her to shoplift.
He was finally brought to justice when medical professionals including the woman’s midwife intervened and informed the police.
Guildford Crown Court heard that he would not want her to be seen by any professionals alone and displayed aggressive jealousy regarding the couple’s unborn child.
These incidents evidenced his controlling behaviour and the fear she disclosed to the professionals, which meant that charges could be brought against him without the victim.
Detective Constable Seb Valentine, of Surrey Police, who led the investigation, said: ‘Steven Saunders was placing his vulnerable partner and unborn child in great danger.
‘He was aggressive and manipulative and wanted to retain full control over her.
‘Securing a conviction on hearsay evidence is unusual, and this is the first example of it for this crime.
‘I am pleased to say that the victim has now been relocated and is determined to re-build her life away from Saunders.’
District Judge Ashworth, who heard the case at Staines Magistrates Court, commented on the use of hearsay evidence during the trial.
He said: ‘The hearsay evidence I have admitted is very clear – you were controlling and overbearing to her.
‘That evidence has not come from her and I still have to decide what weight to give to them.
‘When assessing that I see it said again and again by the professionals that you control her, push her around and won’t let her see her family.’
Guildford Crown Court heard that Saunders would not want her to be seen by any professionals alone and displayed aggressive jealousy regarding the couple’s unborn child
As well as the 18-month sentence, Saunders also received an additional three months for failing to fulfil a community order from a previous case and an indefinite restraining order.
Detective constable Seb Valentine, who led the investigation, said: ‘Steven Saunders was placing his vulnerable partner and unborn child in great danger. He was aggressive and manipulative and wanted to retain full control over her.
‘Such coercive and controlling behaviour has been a criminal offence since 2015, but securing a conviction on hearsay evidence is unusual, and this is the first example of it for this crime.
‘I am pleased to say that the victim has now been relocated and is determined to re-build her life away from Saunders.’
Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro said: ‘This case marks a really significant milestone in the ongoing battle against domestic abuse and is a testament to the sheer hard work and determination of those agencies in Surrey working together to tackle it.
‘More importantly, this is a great outcome for the survivor in this case who is now able to rebuild her life away from the clutches of a clearly manipulative and controlling abuser.
‘I hope this case sends out a clear message to those who believe they can use control and fear to silence their partners that there is no longer any hiding place for those that perpetrate domestic abuse.’
Hearsay evidence targets domestic abusers who leave victims too afraid to give evidence
Steven Saunders has become the first person to be jailed using hearsay evidence which allows those who control and coerce people to be brought to justice without the victim testifying.
Section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 created a new offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship and stemmed from the difficulty in proving a pattern of behaviour amounting to harassment.
Steven Saunder was jailed for 18 months
A key aspect of the legislation was that it allowed a prosecution on the basis of hearsay evidence without the need for a victim statement or involvement from an already vulnerable and terrified victim.
Cases are heard in magistrates’ or crown courts and evidence could potentially include emails and bank records.
Saunders had manipulated and controlled his partner to the extent of removing her from the safety of supported accommodation where she was living, forcing her to live on the streets.
He was finally brought to justice thanks to the intervention of a midwife, and further evidence submitted from other medical professional, social services and the police.
They evidenced his behaviour, the disclosures his partner made and the fear she was under.
He would not want her to be seen by any professionals alone and displayed aggressive jealousy regarding the couple’s unborn child.
All of this meant that charges could be bought against Saunders without the victim, who felt worn out and fearful of him, needing to give a statement.