Violent thug dad controlled girlfriend's life for six years and then strangled her

Aiden Drew, 30, of Grass Valley Park, Bodmin, formerly of Loswithiel, appeared for sentencing today (Tuesday, September 10) at Truro Crown Court
-Credit: (Image: Facebook)


A violent thug of a dad controlled his partner's life for six years and made her feel "worthless and crazy". Aiden Drew, 30, reigned over her life and even strangled her in front of their two children.

Drew, of Grass Valley Park, Bodmin, formerly of Loswithiel, appeared for sentencing today (Tuesday, September 10) at Truro Crown Court having pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship.

The court heard how he repeatedly controlled his then-girlfriend, isolated her from friends and family and controlled her financially. He wouldn't let her attend doctor appointments or go to work.

He also prevented her from having access to her phone and social media throughout the relationship and in December 2021 assaulted her. Then, in what a judge called the "final straw", in March he strangled her. The court also heard how he prevented her from calling for help or reporting incidents of violence after they occurred.

In her personal impact statement, the victim said: "I do not feel safe. I'm paranoid and I felt like if I'd not had him go away from me I genuinely feel that he would have killed me.

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Truro Crown Court
An abusive boyfriend has been spared jailed after controlling his partner's life and strangling her -Credit:Google Maps

"I was scared for my life at the time, feeling trapped. I was concerned about my children's safety too as he was unpredictable. He made me feel worthless and crazy."

In a further statement, she explained the impact the relationship had on her ability to trust others. "I'm paranoid about everything and feel very depressed. I don't even feel like the same person anymore."

In his sentencing remarks His Honour Judge Robert Linford said the relationship was "blighted" over six years by the defendant's threats of violence, which Drew admitted to in a pre-sentence report.

Judge Linford said: "You took over most aspects of her life. You would not let her attend doctors. You would not let her have her phone. She relied on you financially because you would not let her work. You assaulted her and you strangled her and that was the final straw."

He told Drew: "It is your pleas of guilty that have saved you from the imposition of an immediate sentence of imprisonment."

Drew was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He was also made subject to a community order and a five-year restraining order was put in place.

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