Northampton man jailed for controlling and coercive behaviour

A Northampton man who terrorised and controlled his partner, even after the end of their relationship, has been sent to prison.

Keir Jordan Gray, aged 32, appeared before Northampton Crown Court on Thursday, July 8, and was sentenced to a total of two years and three months, having previously been found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, harassment and criminal damage.

Gray’s behaviour was revealed after an incident in September 2019, when he followed his victim’s car before he and another man smashed the vehicle up, pulling her from it by her hair and assaulting the person she was with.

Officers from Northamptonshire Police attended, and the terrified woman went on to reveal how Gray had been frequently abusive and violent towards her during their four-year relationship, and continued to harass and follow her even after they split up.

Gray, of Brookland Road, Northampton, was charged with controlling and coercive behaviour relating to repeated behaviour between December 2015 and April 2019, and was convicted following a trial in May this year.

He was also found guilty of one count of putting a person in fear of violence by harassment, as well as criminal damage for the attack on the woman’s car.

Sentencing, Judge David Herbert QC jailed Gray for 18 months for the controlling and coercive behaviour charge, nine months for the harassment charge, to be served consecutively, and two months for the criminal damage, to be served concurrently, making a total of two years and three months imprisonment.

Gray was also handed a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.

Speaking afterwards, investigating officer DC Thomas Rosignoli, of the Force’s Domestic Abuse Unit, said: “This was a remarkable case with a brilliant result, which is testament to the courage of the victim in reporting what she had been subjected to, and then in seeing the case through to trial.

“Gray’s behaviour towards her was nothing short of monstrous, affecting her physically and mentally and causing her to live in fear for years.

“Love shouldn’t leave you scared, watching everything you say and do and constantly worrying how your partner will react. If this sounds familiar, it is not your fault and there is help out there – both from the police and from other organisations too.

“Tackling domestic abuse, helping those subjected to it and preventing abusers from causing any more harm to others is a priority for Northamptonshire Police.

“I hope this case sends a positive message to other survivors of domestic abuse that we take crimes like this incredibly seriously and that reporting to us does lead to justice.

“If you’ve been affected by any form of domestic abuse, physically, emotionally or financially, please call us on 101. We are here to help, we will believe you, and we will help to keep you safe.”