Boyfriend denies being ‘controlling’
A BOYFRIEND accused of using controlling behaviour towards his partner told a court he denied the allegations.
Mother-of-three Faye Hooke, from Pontypridd, has said she was left “fearful” for her life after her 17-month relationship with Robert Sheldon.
Sheldon, 32, from Pantglas, Pentwyn, Cardiff, denies using coercive and controlling behaviour and is on trial at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court.
Mrs Hooke told the court her former partner had controlled what she wore, stopped her using social media and stopped her speaking to friends.
Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, said Sheldon admitted to battery and criminal damage during an incident with Mrs Hooke in a court case heard on May 9, 2016. After an argument on March 22, 2016, Sheldon described pushing Mrs Hooke, causing her to fall over a box, but denied breaking her phone.
Mrs Hooke, who failed to attend the court hearing, alleged her partner had punched her in the face twice and smashed her phone. Sheldon was charged with battery based on his description of pushing Mrs Hooke.
The court heard both Sheldon and Mrs Hooke had become upset after she had an abortion in February 2016.
Giving evidence, Sheldon denied allegations he had poured urine over Mrs Hooke or ate her earrings on October 31, 2015. He also said he did not control Mrs Hooke’s use of social media or choice of clothes and denied throwing a speaker dock at her head.
Sheldon also denied Mrs Hooke’s accusations he had spat in a frying pan and defecated in a bin following an alleged argument in September 2016.
He denied threatening Mrs Hooke with violence or threatening to post intimate pictures and videos of her on social media.
Sheldon denied telling Mrs Hooke he wanted her to become pregnant as soon as possible but said he had “no idea” if she was using contraception.
He also described taking Mrs Hooke’s children on trips and helping pick them up from the school bus. He said: “My interest was us being a family”.
Sheldon added that during their relationship Mrs Hooke would have “daily” arguments with her ex-husband of eight years, Michael Hooke.
He said: “It was madness between them. There would be phone calls at 1am and he would be screaming down the phone.”
Nicholas Gedge, defending, said Detective Constable Victoria Stroud had made a “glaring” oversight in her investigation by failing to look at Mrs Hooke’s full Facebook history. Ms Stroud confirmed Mrs Hooke had a Facebook profile on December 22, 2016, but said she had not asked for full access to her account.
The charges relate to the period between December 2015 and January 31, 2017. The trial continues. In yesterday’s report of proceedings the headline incorrectly read “‘I was scared for my life’, says wife” when it should have read “‘I was scared for my life’, says ex-partner”. We are happy to clarify this matter.