‘His actions broke me’: Victim speaks out after her abuser is sentenced
A woman subjected to controlling coercive behaviour has spoken out on the impact it had on her life after her abuser was sentenced.
Harry England, 22, of Richford Street, Hammersmith was sentenced to a six month, suspended sentence on Thursday at Isleworth Crown Court after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour.
The victim said: “Meeting Harry England is the one thing I regret about moving to London.
“I came to London to work and experience life, make a career in something I have wanted to do since I was 12-years old.
“When I met Harry, everything changed. His actions broke me. He made me question my faith and trust in people.”
The woman was in her late teens when she first met England. During their time together he controlled all aspects of her life and continued to do so after the relationship was over.
He would criticise her behaviour, looks, friends and family. He would also tell her what to wear and frequently tell her she was ‘fat’, at one point she was less than six stone.
England knew her college timetable and would turn up on several occasions, shouting and behaving in an aggressive manner so she stopped attending her classes.
He would also edit what she wrote on her texts.
After a few months, the victim ended the relationship with England and informed him to stop contacting her.
England set up fake accounts to try to make contact with her and even ended up standing outside her home address, sending her unwanted gifts.
A couple of months after the relationship ended, England contacted police via 999 stating he was concerned for her welfare. Officers attended her address and she decided to report his behaviour to the police.
She said: “I have spent the last three years trying to fix what he broke. Re-establishing relationships, learning to trust people, finding healthy ways to deal with stress, working out what life is about and trying to live in a way I can be proud of.
“I am grateful to the police for believing in me and supporting me when I really needed it.
“I will never be the same girl I was when I first met him, and that saddens me. She was a lot more calm and a lot more forgiving.”
On February 2, 2022, England was charged with two counts of rape, attempted rape, assault and stalking involving fear of violence.
He was found not guilty of the offences following a two-week trial which began on February 6, 2023, at Isleworth Crown Court. He pleaded guilty at the start of the trial to controlling and coercive behaviour.
England was ordered to engage in an 18-month Community Order and to attend a “building better relationships” programme.
A restraining order was also put in place until further notice preventing any contact with the victim.
If you have been a victim of stalking, sexual assault or rape, including non-recent abuse, or you have information about an offender, contact police on 101 or 999 .
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