A CONTROLLING boyfriend who subjected his pregnant partner to threats, violence and degradation has been jailed.
Kyle John Michael Pelham’s criminal conduct began early in his relationship with the woman late last year. He controlled access to her phone and money, what she would wear and sought to exclude and isolate her from family and friends. He even induced her to make an harassment complaint against her own mother, who had sought to intervene.
Pelham 23, called his girlfriend a “rat”; asked “who would want you?”; and assaulted her several times while she was heavily pregnant, punching her repeatedly to the head on one occasion after forcing into the footwell of a vehicle as they drove home.
When contractions began before she gave birth, Carlisle Crown Court heard Pelham’s priority was to first purchase food, drink and cigarettes for himself on the way to hospital, where he then also obstructed medical staff.
“The whole relationship was characterised by control, morbid jealousy and narcissism,” said prosecutor Brendan Burke. “His micro-control would even extend to instructions as to what not to watch on television. One of his particular bugbears was Love Island. She was instructed not to watch that.”
Pelham, of Raiselands Croft, Penrith, eventually received a domestic violence protection order, but was jailed for breaching that. He was given an additional sentence today (THURS) after admitting controlling and coercive behaviour between last September and August 1 this year, and three assaults.
Anthony Parkinson, defending, said Pelham had since expressed “genuine remorse” and understood the effects of his offending on his now former partner, who told in a statement how she was unable to confront events that had occurred.
Jailing Pelham for 22 months and imposing a 10-year restraining order, Recorder Eric Lamb told him: “Your behaviour towards her made her life a misery.”
Detective Constable, James Bowness, who lead the investigation, said: “I am pleased with the sentence given today. Pelham subjected his victim to three separate assaults as part of his controlling behaviour.
“Even during interview Pelham tried to control the interview, claiming the victim was making up the allegation and claiming the injustice to himself.
“As a force we are committed to providing victims of crime with the support they need, and I would encourage anyone who finds themselves the victim of crime to come forward and report it. I can assure victims of domestic violence and controlling behaviour that they will be treated courteously and compassionately by specially trained officers.”
