David Chandler
Coercive controlling behaviour, intentional strangulation and assault *
Sentence
over three years imprisonment
David Chandler, aged 56, of Hart Plain Avenue, Waterlooville, subjected his girlfriend to coercive controlling behaviour, intentional strangulation, and assault between 23rd June 2024 and 30th June 2025 in New Milton and Waterlooville. He dictated how she dressed, whom she spoke to, banned her from speaking to males, ordered her to undergo breast surgery to alter her appearance and stop men looking at her, threatened to damage her house and property as well as her relatives, monitored her mobile phone, interfered in her business by changing its name, stopping male customers, controlling services, forcing changes to signs and appearance, compelling her to delete social media accounts, damaging business property, and demeaning her by compelling her to degrade herself in front of clients. On 29th March 2025, he intentionally strangled her, and between 23rd June 2024 and 30th June 2025, he attacked her by strangling, grabbing her head, slapping, pulling her hair, and restraining her.
Pleaded not guilty but convicted by jury following an eight-day trial. DC Andrew Mason described the behaviour as shocking and abhorrent.