A jealous partner has been given a prison sentence for taking control of his girlfriend’s phone for days at a time and making threats to torch property belonging to her mother and grandmother.
Kyle Pelham’s relationship with the teenager, then 17, began after Snapchat contact between the pair.
Over the course of a fortnight earlier this year, 26-year-old Pelham and his new partner — now 18 — stayed at hotels and went out for meals before she moved into his address.
But Carlisle Crown Court heard today that Pelham’s control — and jealousy — took over. Pelham threw out her clothes, grabbed the teen’s face, pushed her on to a bed and, on more than one occasion, yanked her hair in anger.
During a two-month period, Pelham made threats to torch her mother’s and grandmother’s property and took control of her phone which he removed for days at a time.
He changed her phone number twice, sent unpleasant texts to her friends and family, pretending to be her, and, she said, refused her permission to attend a funeral.
Prosecutor David Polglase said: “She described that having an adverse impact, not just on her emotional well-being and mental health but her day-to-day activities; being encouraged not to have contact with those she had contact with previously and prevented from going to work.”
In an impact statement after Pelham’s conduct came to light, she spoke of spending many months rebuilding relationships with loved ones.
When quizzed by police, Pelham claimed her complaints were untrue and even told officers he was the victim. But on the day he was due to stand trial in front of a jury, he admitted a charge of controlling or coercive behaviour.
The court heard that in October, 2023, Pelham, of Raiselands Croft, Penrith, was given a 22-month jail term for similar offending against another young woman.
He had attacked his then pregnant partner, isolated her from friends and family, and even banned her from watching television show Love Island, as part of a campaign of control.
Mitigating in respect of the latest offending, barrister Tim Evans said Pelham accepted the criminal conduct.
Judge Michael Fanning imposed an immediate seven-and-a-half-month jail term. “She was to be with you, spend time with you and no-one else — the definition of controlling behaviour. You have got to learn from your experiences. You cannot conduct yourself in this way.”
