Ernie Jones
Controlling and coercive behaviour *
Sentence
7 years and 2 months imprisonment
Between January 1, 2017, and June 11, 2025, Ernie Jones subjected the victim to repeated controlling and coercive behaviour, which had a serious effect on her. During that time, she was assaulted on multiple occasions. The court heard Jones punched and kicked the victim in the face, stamped on her head, threatened her with a knife and damaged her property, including her phone. He also subjected her to verbal abuse, prevented her from seeing her children and threatened to take them away or report her to social services. On February 23, 2025, Jones assaulted the victim while driving her car. She was in the passenger seat and two young children were in the back. After a disagreement about brambles damaging the vehicle, Jones began beating her while the car was stationary at traffic lights, causing injuries amounting to actual bodily harm. Jones was arrested on May 21, 2025, and released on conditional bail. Between May 19 and June 10, he breached those conditions on several occasions through repeated unwanted contact, leading to a stalking charge. His behaviour during that period included frequent communication, turning up unannounced at the family home, contacting relatives and making threats, causing the victim serious distress.
Pleaded guilty to two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, actual bodily harm and stalking involving fear of violence. Also handed a restraining order until further notice.