Paul Forsyth, 39, has been sentenced to three years in prison by Teesside Crown Court for imposing a “bizarre” set of rules on his partner and subjecting her to severe coercive control and intimidation. The case highlights the sinister ways in which Forsyth controlled every aspect of his partner’s life, leaving her feeling helpless and imprisoned.
Coercive control is a pattern of behavior which seeks to take away the victim’s liberty or freedom and strip away their sense of self. It can involve a range of controlling behaviors, including emotional and psychological manipulation, as well as financial control. In the UK, coercive control is a crime under the Serious Crime Act 2015. Offenders can face up to five years in prison if found guilty of this form of abuse.
Control and Isolation
According to Teesside News, Forsyth’s abusive behavior began after he moved into his partner’s home in Hartlepool in August 2023. Prosecutor Shaun Dryden described how Forsyth’s control tactics quickly escalated, creating an oppressive environment for his partner. “She wasn’t allowed to attend appointments at the doctors in person, she had to have consultations over the phone. She wasn’t allowed to collect her medication in person. She wasn’t allowed to go shopping or for a walk unless she was accompanied by the defendant. He wouldn’t let her take her medication. He imposed a bizarre set of rules on the complainant,” Dryden explained.
The victim had to ask for permission to use the toilet, take a bath or shower, and even to have a drink of water or food. Forsyth also monitored her mobile phone usage, further isolating her by controlling who she could communicate with. He would lock her inside the house when he went out, exacerbating her sense of entrapment and fear.
Escalation to Violence
Forsyth’s control soon turned violent. On December 2, 2023, an argument about his drinking habits led to him repeatedly punching his partner in the face, causing significant bruising and a bloody nose. When police arrived, the frightened woman apologized to the officers and asked if she could have a drink of water in her own home, highlighting the extent of her subjugation.
Forsyth continued to harass and intimidate his partner even after he was arrested and then bailed with conditions not to contact the victim. He breached his bail conditions multiple times, returning to the property to make threats and demand that she drop the charges. “He made threats to the complainant saying he had people watching the house and either the woman or her children would be burned,” Mr. Dryden revealed [via Teesside News]. In another instance, Forsyth physically assaulted her by throwing her from the bed onto the floor.
In her victim impact statement, the survivor recounted the lasting impact of Forsyth’s abuse on her life and her children. She no longer resides in the property due to ongoing threats, and she continues to suffer from panic attacks. Forsyth’s actions have left a profound psychological and emotional scar.
Paul Forsyth Sentenced
Forsyth has a history of criminal behavior, with nine convictions for 21 offenses, including arson and child neglect. He pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behavior and intimidating a witness. His barrister, Tabitha Buck, mentioned his deteriorating mental health and alcohol dependency as factors, citing the loss of his mother as a significant blow.
Addressing Forsyth, Recorder Nicholas Worsley KC did not mince words. “You basically ruined this woman’s life and you’ve done it because you’re a drunk, you’re a bully, and you’re an inadequate coward. What you’ve put this woman through is inexcusable.” Forsyth was handed a three-year prison sentence and a ban on contacting the victim.
Featured image: Paul Forsyth controlled and abused his partner. Source: Nomad_Soul / Adobe Stock.
