A ‘CONTROLLING’ Nailsworth man who subjected a woman to ‘disgraceful’ abuse and coercive behaviour has narrowly escaped jail today.

Christopher Rogers, 39, of Lawnside, Nailsworth was given a suspended prison sentence after Recorder Timothy Brown heard how he had head-butted his ex-partner, dragged her along the ground by her hair, assaulted her, threatened to kill family pets and destroyed her mobile phone.

Said Judge Brown at Gloucester Crown Court today: “You became controlling, coercive, jealous and physically aggressive to your former partner.

“You humiliated her privately and in public places, you bombarded her, her relatives and friends with numerous abusive text messages – on occasion up to 60 a day – and called at the Stroud cafe where she worked, accused the chef of sexual activity with her, contacted her boss to tell him that she had been drinking at work, resulting in her losing her job.

“There is no place in a civilised society for your violent and abusive and controlling attitude towards women.”

The judge imposed a 17-month prison sentence suspended for two years, ordered Rogers to do 100 hours of unpaid work, imposed a community order, ordered him to pay £200 of prosecution costs and handed the defendant a three-year restraining order not to contact the victim.

Telling Rogers that he had showed little remorse, the judge added: “No woman is ever to be blamed for the perpetration of violence towards her.”

Defending lawyer Jason Coulter said earlier in his mitigation speech: “I cannot justify my client’s behaviour – it is disgraceful.

“But although I am horrified at his behaviour the probation service are of the opinion that they can work with him so that his behaviour can be changed.

“It is either jail or a chance for him to be cured of his violent and controlling behaviour.”

Rogers had previously pleaded guilty to using coercive or controlling behaviour in an intimate relationship between April 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017.

His “lengthy” list of previous convictions included offences of assault against another former partner. He headbutted her and grabbed her hair whilst in a car.

Rogers sobbed with relief in the dock of courtroom one at the crown court when he learned his fate.