Abusive partner who controlled his Fulham girlfriend for 18 months jailed for two-and-a-half years

A man who suffocated his former girlfriend as part of an 18-month campaign of abuse has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail.

Chakib Aoual 23, of Fulham Park Gardens, Fulham, admitted one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday, 5 August and also given a restraining order to stop him contacting the victim.

The court heard Aoual subjected his victim to physical and emotional abuse during their 18-month relationship before she was able to escape and report the offences in November 2019.

On one occasion he slammed her arm in a bathroom door to stop her from being able to call the police.

Aoual also threatened to kill the victim’s dog and would abuse the animal to cause distress to his former partner.

He would hide the victim’s glasses so she couldn’t leave the flat and used her bank card without permission.

He also completely trashed her flat and spent £40,000 of inheritance money given to the victim.

Detective Constable Chris Wiley, from the Met’s Safeguarding Unit, said: “Aoual took complete control of his victim’s life to the point where she became a prisoner in her own home.

“His behaviour was completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I commend the victim for having the courage to come forward and encourage anyone in the same situation to seek help”.

+ If you are a victim of domestic abuse or are worried about someone else please have the confidence to approach police or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. It doesn’t matter what your lifestyle is, we will help.

If you need urgent help and cannot talk, dial 999 and press 55 to let the operator know the call has not been made in error.