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There have been a rather alarming number of men who have appeared before Truro Crown Court over the past few months to be sentenced for stalking or their coercive behaviour towards women.
From jealous to drunk, outright violent thugs to persistent abusers, they seem to be on the rise, or at least being punished more regularly.
We look back at those men who think it’s okay to bully, beat up and stalk women and girls who are now behind bars.
Below is a list of those who have been sentenced this autumn alone.
‘Jekyll and Hyde’ partner was controlling and violent
A man who was described as a “Jekyll and Hyde character” by his former partner has been sent to prison for his controlling behaviour. Nathan Nurton, 36, left bruises on the victim which were consistent with hard blows to her upper body and told her to cover it with makeup.
Nurton, of no fixed abode, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, September 11, after pleading guilty to engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour.
The prosecution told the court that Nurton and the victim had been in a short-lived relationship which began around January this year. Very soon, the relationship turned to violence and abuse and the victim described Nurton as being a “Jekyll and Hyde character” where he was nice one moment and then turned the next.
It was heard that Nurton would punch her, slap her and force her to stay on video calls with him. He also demanded access to her phone and would delete her social media apps. On occasion, he smashed her phone and damaged her van by punching it.
When the victim called the police, Nurton was arrested and then after he was released, the same incidents happened again and he was arrested again. The prosecution said at the time that police could see injuries on the victim but she said she didn’t want to make a statement as she was worried Nurton would kill her. In police interview, Nurton gave no comment answers and he was bailed.
However, he made his way back to the victim and he was arrested again the following day and made no comment again in interview. A victim impact statement read out in court said the incident has left the victim feeling “upset and emotional”.
Defending Nurton, Hans Dieter Kehler said Nurton expresses remorse for his action and accepts that when he finds a relationship that is supportive, “he clings onto it and doesn’t want to lose it”. Mr Kehler told the court that Nurton said his behaviour was to ensure he could hold onto the relationship but he just approached it completely in the incorrect way.
In sentencing Nurton, Judge James Adkin told Nurton his offending was of “bullying, violence and intimidation” towards his partner, which continued despite the involvement of the police. He was also subject to a domestic violence protection order and offended while on police bail.
Judge Adkin sentenced Nurton to 22 months imprisonment and made him subject to a restraining order for five years.
Vengeful ex went on ‘terrifying’ Looe car rampage against former wife
A spurned husband went on a “terrifying” rampage against his ex-wife and those he deemed responsible for the end of their relationship. Warren Reeves, 63, left his former partner feeling “terrified” as a result of his offending.
Reeves, of Carey Park, Killigarth, Looe, appeared for sentencing at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, October 14, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, stalking involving fear of violence and five counts of criminal damage.
The court was told that when Reeves’ relationship with his wife came to an end he could not accept this and he went on a “campaign of vengeance” against her and other people he deemed responsible. On May 3 this year, Reeves used his car as a weapon and drove into vehicles belonging to his ex-wife’s friends and family, as well as buildings, including Looe Police Station, which resulted in significant damage.
It was heard that Reeves also drove dangerously through Polperro, narrowly missing pedestrians who had to “dive for cover” to avoid being hit by his vehicle. When the police went to Reeves’ property they found he was not there but discovered a kitchen knife had been stabbed through a door with a note attached saying “don’t f**k with me”.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Reeves’ ex-wife said she “never imagined” him to be capable of these offences, so she is “terrified” of what he would do if he was released. She said she feels quite vulnerable because of his actions and has had to have counselling as a result.
Reeves’ former father-in-law, who was also targeted in his rampage, said in a victim impact statement that since the incident took place he has been left “in a bad place psychologically speaking”. He said he has not been able to stop shaking since and has flashbacks to the incident.
Another one of Reeves’ victims – a friend and colleague of his ex-wife – said in her statement that she is fearful for the safety of herself and her family when Reeves is released. She added that even writing a statement is “frightening” for her as she is afraid of “antagonising him further”.
The court was told that when Reeves was interviewed by police he gave a full and detailed account of what happened. He said it was a “vendetta or a rampage” and he targeted those he believed led to the downfall of his relationship.
In mitigation, it was heard that Reeves has endured a longstanding struggle with his mental health which appears to stem partly from childhood trauma. The court was told that he accepts his behaviour and is “deeply remorseful” as to the events that occurred and the impact his behaviour had. Reeves has been in custody since May and it was heard he has got his mental health under control and no longer requires medication for anxiety and depression.
Sentencing Reeves, Judge Simon Carr said alcohol plays a significant role in Reeves’ behaviour and he was drinking on the day of the rampage. He said that Reeves’ offending started when he began threatening his ex-wife, sending her messages and calling at her address, before ending on the day of his rampage.
Judge Carr added it was a “miracle” no one was killed when Reeves drove his car dangerously through Polperro, causing pedestrians to dive for cover in shop doors.
Reeves was sentenced to a total of 21 months imprisonment and a restraining order was imposed against him for 10 years for a number of his victims.
Stalker who wouldn’t accept break up bombarded ex
A dumped ex who would not take no for an answer after his partner put an end to their short-lived relationship “bombarded” her with unwanted texts, calls, gifts and visits to her home even in the middle of the night.
Thomas Henrick met his ex girlfriend online and at first the relationship was successful, a court heard. However his former partner thought the relationship was not working out and ended it.
It was after the breakup that the 34-year-old from Lippell Drive in Plymouth started a campaign of harassment which involved sending his ex dozens of messages, both texts and calls every day, delivering unwanted gifts at her home in Truro and even turning up, pleading to be let in or to be taken back in because “he loves her”, at all hours.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, October 21, heard how on one occasion Henrick followed her inside and started groping her breasts and buttocks when she had absolutely no intention of having sex with him.
The court was told that despite being told repeatedly that she did not love him and the relationship would not be anything more than friendship, Henrick continued to harass her, forcing his ex to install a ring doorbell camera and further CCTV at her property to cover blind spots in her garden.
The constant harassment went on for 14 days in August. The court heard how on one occasion Henrick pushed a friend of his ex to barge in as she was at her house to provide support and on another day he tried to damage her ring doorbell so she could not see him coming to her house.
The campaign of stalking led his victim to make an official complaint to Devon and Cornwall Police. Ryan Murray, prosecuting, said that during one incident Henrick’s ex was actually on the phone to the police when he texted her and contacted her via Messenger and WhatsApp.
During the fortnight of stalking Henrick dropped jewellery, flowers and chocolate at his ex’s door when she wanted to be left alone.
He was eventually arrested and in police interviews denied the offences saying he had engaged in a “caring behaviour” and was not stalking his ex, adding that the “relationship had been good until her friends got involved and it went downhill”. He told officers he didn’t believe that his contact with his ex had been excessive, adding that his gifts had been made to “cheer her up”.
He was charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm or distress, one count of assault by beating and one of criminal damage in connection with trying to remove his ex’s safety camera. He pleaded guilty to all charges against him when he later appeared before Truro Magistrates’ Court.
Yesterday’s hearing was told that Henrick has 26 previous convictions for 47 offences including four for harassment and others for breaches of a domestic protection order.
His barrister said Henrick accepted that a restraining order would be good for both his victim and for himself. He said: “He struggles to understand his behaviour and he misunderstood and minimised it but he is now on the path to accept that his behaviour needs changing. He is making this change so he does not do this again to any future partner.”
He said Henrick had been in and out of prison for various offences for the past seven years but asked that the court supports him with the intervention he desperately needs. “There is now an opportunity to give him the help that he clearly needs to address his behaviour,” he added.
His Honour Judge Simon Carr said being subjected to such harassment would have been frightening and very distressing for Henrick’s victim.
He said she had made it clear that despite being successful at first the relationship was over and that it would not continue. “You were unable to accept that,” he told Henrick. “You repeatedly bombarded her with messages and texts and attended her property after dark and assaulted her and tried to damage her ring doorbell camera to cover up what you were doing.
“You continued your course of action despite the police wanting to talk to you. You have expressed some remorse for what you did but only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”
Judge Carr sentenced Henrick to 12 months in prison. He will serve 40 per cent before being released on licence. He also imposed a five-year restraining order not to contact his victim.
Creepy stalker flies to Italy to victim’s house when she is not even there
A creepy stalker flew to Italy to deliver chocolate and a Valentine’s card to his victim’s home even though she was not there and had told him to get lost. Edward Crook became so infatuated with a colleague at the hotel in the Newquay area where they both worked that he became obsessive to the point of making her life hell.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, November 11, heard how Crook’s infatuation turned to stalking and went on for two years between February 2023 and April 2025 even after he stopped working at the hotel.
The court heard how Crook developed a romantic infatuation that was not returned in any way. Yet despite being told in no uncertain terms he had no hope in hell and he should stop harassing his victim, who was also his supervisor, he continued to contact her on social media and contact her friends and even go to her address.
Crook, from Springfield Close in St Austell, may have been told to keep it professional at work and to leave his victim alone, but the stalking continued and escalated. On one occasion he walked out of the showers at work with just a towel on and tried to express his feelings to his victim.
Having found out where she was originally from in Italy, he spent hundreds of pounds travelling to Tuscany to her village where he tracked her family home and delivered unwanted chocolates and a Valentine’s card before making contact with her to tell her all about his exploits. The court heard that his victim was not there at the time.
The stalking continued after he left his employment at the hotel in Newquay to the point that his emails to her were blocked by the hotel. When she took out a non molestation order against Crook, the 33-year-old breached it immediately by contacting her to discuss the non-molestation order.
Crook was arrested by Devon and Cornwall Police and in his interview with officers he mostly accepted his behaviour and claimed that his contact was wanted and that his victim had enjoyed the attention.
He was charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm/distress and another of breaching a non-molestation order. Following a four-day trial at Truro Crown Court a jury found him guilty of all charges against him.
In an impact statement read out in court, Crook’s victim said she has been struggling to sleep as a result of his stalking, her general wellbeing and mental health have suffered and she has been forced to ask friends to stay over so she can go to sleep. She said she has this feeling of being watched constantly and has been forced to change her work shift patterns when all she wants is “a break from Crook” and be left alone.
Crook has three previous convictions for similar matters dating back to 2021 including for stalking and breaching a non-stalking order.
His barrister, Sophie Johns, said Crook was “resigned to the consequences of the jury verdict”. She added: “He had an unstable childhood. It’s not an excuse but he had some difficulties to deal with from a young age that were outside his control.
“He has been in custody for seven months and has lost his accommodation and his job as a consequence.”
His Honour Judge James Adkin said Crook had become “obsessed” with his victim to the point of visiting her family’s home in Tuscany, sending her inappropriate messages and emerging form the showers at work with a towel on to “confront her about his feelings”.
Judge Adkin said it turned sinister when Crook sent his victim messages that the hotel should start locking up the back door because he’d slip in like a “ninja”. He said Crook had shown how little interest he has in obeying court orders.
Judge Adkin added: “She changed her shifts at work for fear of you and because of your unpredictable behaviour. You have previous convictions for stalking another victim. You don’t have the capacity to learn from your abhorrent behaviour. You have continued to blame your victim throughout the trial.”
Judge Adkin sentenced Crook to 30 months in jail. He will serve 50 per cent. He also imposed a restraining order banning Crook from entering Newquay and contact his victim for life. Crook is also banned from even making references to his victim in conversations with others on social media.
Stalker knelt on his ex’s neck and strangled her
A stalker has been jailed for controlling and coercive behaviour towards his ex partner. Jealous Diogo Viera was also violent towards the victim between 2022 and 2025 and caused fear and upset to her young children.
Truro Crown Court heard how Veira, 35, would “fly into a rage” and accuse her repeatedly of cheating during their 13-year relationship which was branded “volatile”.
The court heard how on one occasion Viera, from Tywarnhayle Square in Perranporth, pinned her to a bed and knelt on her throat, affecting her breathing, and on another occasion put both hands around her neck as he pushed her against a wall.
He banged on the windows of her home in Perranporth late at night which scared her and was aggressive and abusive to her in a local street when he was drunk.
Viera, who has previous convictions for assault and criminal damage against the same victim, was convicted by a jury at Truro Crown Court of controlling and coercive behaviour, stalking and strangulation and was jailed for a total of three years and a 10-year restraining order was imposed.
His Honour Judge James Adkin said his behaviour was characterised by aggression, jealousy and violence while under the influence of drink and drugs to ‘bully a vulnerable woman’.
Controlling thug was so jealous he beat up his girlfriend in her home
A woman’s boyfriend became so jealous and controlling he would force her to hug and kiss him ahead of her own children. Clint Barrett would also force her to ‘check in’ when she arrived at work and told her what clothes she could and could not wear.
Barrett and his Polish ex partner met in July 2023 and at first the relationship was fine. It soured and deteriorated when they moved in together and soon turned to jealousy, anger and violence.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on Monday, November 17, heard how he would ask her to translate conversations she had in Polish with her friends and family so he could see she was not having the affair he wrongly accused her of having.
The court heard how Barrett’s jealousy turned nasty on many occasions and he would be verbally and physically abusive towards her.
The 47-year-old from Green Parc Road in Hayle would control the way she dressed to ensure her clothes were not “too revealing”.
In December last year she was at home with her children and they were all due to go and watch Barrett compete in a boxing match. He became foul-mouthed and abusive.
During the incident he banged her head against the wall in an outburst of violence, threw her across the room and kneed on her stomach causing great pain. When she screamed, he her grabbed her neck with his hands and she couldn’t breathe.
The court heard how she managed to free herself from Barrett by kicking him. Yet he continued to verbally abuse her and punched her in the jaw.
The incident prompted her to move in with her brother. She returned to Barrett’s a few days later but he beat her up and assaulted her again.
It was during a pool and dart competition at a pub in Penzance that Barrett once again became jealous and aggressive, accused her of not giving him her undivided attention as he played pool and started insulting her, pinching her in the stomach, before grabbing her by the arm violently which prompted security staff in the pub to kick him out.
In a powerful victim impact statement read out in court, Barrett’s victim said the abuse had not only had an impact on her physical and mental health but has also led to mounting financial troubles as she has been unable to work as an agency nurse. She said she was registered homeless for a while as a result of the abuse too, meaning she has been forced to sleep in a her car for a while and was unable to see her children.
She said she has been suffering from anxiety and depression for the past year and suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) every day of her life. The abuse led her to self harm and at times she feels unable to get out of bed through stress.
“I loved my work but I have lost my capacity to go to work,” she said. “Being around men makes me fearful. I feel I may never trust another man anymore.
“I fear for my safety. I have panic attacks and wake up two to three times a night with nightmares. I have night terrors and a high level of social anxiety.”
Barrett’s victim said she used to be happy, have friends and a social life but is now always living in a heightened state of hyper vigilance and so are her children. She added: “I am trying to be the person I used to be but I feel a part of me died in 2024. I am afraid of him.”
Barrett was eventually arrested and charged with one count of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm, another of engaging in a controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship and a third of common assault.
Barrett, who has five previous convictions for similar offences in a domestic context going back to 2013 and 2015, including for battery, violence, criminal damage and malicious communications, pleaded guilty to all charges on the second of his trial at Truro Crown Court a few weeks ago.
His barrister, Hollie Gilbery, said Barrett was capable of change and had attempted to address his issues around jealousy. She said: “He is undertaking hypnotherapy at his own expense to deal with that. He doesn’t want to be before the courts and the courts do not want him here again.
“He has worked all his life. He has a strong work ethics. He can and has changed in the past. Working in the community may be the best way forward for him.”
Recorder Serena Gates did not agree with that assessment and said there was only one way to deal with Barrett’s controlling behaviour and violence in a domestic context, that is by sending him to prison, especially when he has done it before.
She said: “You have shown some degree of remorse and have taken steps to address your offending behaviour.”
Recorder Gates sentenced Barrett to 30 months in prison. He will serve 50 per cent before being released on licence. She imposed a five-year restraining order too.
Disgruntled ex sent abusive messages in bid to drop serious charges
A man who sent a number of abusive messages to his ex while on bail for charges of stalking and criminal damage begged her not to tell police, a court has heard.
Vincent Hider, 60, sent vile messages to his victim between July and September this year in a bid to get her to drop charges of stalking and criminal damage against him.
Hider, of Perranporth, appeared at Truro Crown Court for sentence on Tuesday, November 18, having pleaded guilty on October 21 to intent to pervert the course of public justice.
Prosecuting the case, Lewis Aldous said: “The facts of the case date back to August of this year. The defendant had been involved in a relationship with the complainant in this case.”
He noted there were “matters that had taken place in relation to an allegation of stalking and criminal damage” and Hider was due to appear in court charged with those offences at a later date.
In September, his victim contacted Devon and Cornwall police, however, to report she had been receiving phone calls and messages from Hider, who was on conditional bail at the time not to contact her.
“Some of the messages,” Mr Aldous said, “are somewhat abusive, calling her names such as s**g and b***h.
One also read: “I’m begging you, please don’t tell them I’ve been in touch.”
Representing Hider, Martin Pearce said the defendant had given a “timely guilty plea at the earliest opportunity” and that his willingness to cooperate with the criminal justice process “despite earlier confusion about proceedings” should be taken into consideration.
He also noted the defendant has a limited criminal history, poses a “low risk of reoffending” and has shown “genuine remorse”.
Sentencing Hider, His Honour Judge Simon Carr said the circumstances of not being able to accept his relationship with his ex ending were “depressingly familiar”.
He told him: “You were unable to accept it in an adult fashion.”
The messages sent, he noted, were “abusive and frightening and no doubt they had an effect upon (the complainant)”.
Of the bail conditions that applied to Hider at the time of the messages, Judge Carr added: “You simply ignored the court order as if it didn’t apply to you.”
He accepted Mr Hider’s age and relative lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors.
Hider was sentenced to nine months in prison suspended for two years and is prohibited from contacting the complainant as part of a five year restraining order.
Sick ‘controlling’ monster put bin bag over wife’s head
A violent thug put a bin bag over his wife’s head as part of a campaign of harassment and coercion, a court heard.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court on November 13 heard how Jamie Walker not only sent his wife a multitude of messages, emails, phone calls and voicemails, which amounted to stalking and causing her serious alarm or distress, but he also threatened her with violence.
His campaign of terror against his wife went on for two year from January 1, 2023, until January 15 this year at addresses in Bodmin and St Austell.
The court was told that the 37-year-old now from Baker Street, Exeter, Devon, threatened her with violence on multiple occasions and also inflicted violence on her.
It was in January two years ago that he put a big bag over her head which had a serious effect upon her.
Walker was eventually arrested and charged with one count of stalking involving serious alarm/distress between February and April this year and one count of engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship between January 2023 and January 2025.
He changed his pleas to guilty for these two charges on October 16 when he appeared before Truro Crown Court. He pleaded not guilty to strangling his wife in St Austell between and threatening to kill her in St Austell – these counts will remain on file.
His Honour Judge Simon Carr sentenced Walker to a total of 30 months in prison. He also imposed a restraining order against him not to contact his wife for 10 years.
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