‘Coercive’ former partner is jailed

A BARNSLEY man has been jailed for assaulting and coercively controlling a former partner.

Ben Paul McMichael, 26, formerly of Lindrick Close, was sentenced to three years in prison after a prolonged campaign of mental and physical abuse against a woman he was in a relationship with.

PC Kayleigh Banks said: “The victim in this case has shown tremendous strength and conviction of character, from first reporting the awful abuse she suffered, supporting our investigation, all the way through to McMichael’s conviction and sentencing.

“It is no exaggeration to say that McMichael’s sustained abuse and controlling behaviour made his victim feel as though she had no way out.”

McMichael pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and coercive and controlling behaviour at an earlier court hearing.

He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court last Friday and was also handed a ten-year restraining order on the top of his sentence.