Jamie McGrath stared straight ahead in the dock as his former partner told a Manchester court she had once “planned to take [her] own life” because of the violence she endured behind closed doors.
The 22-year-old, from Lowland Road, Woodsmoor in Stockport, has now been jailed for three years at Minshull Street Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of false imprisonment, actual bodily harm and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Over the course of a six-year relationship that began when they were both 16, McGrath locked the woman in her flat, broke one of her fingers, punched her in the face and held her head down in a bath of water.
Judge Joanne Woodward also imposed an indefinite restraining order, banning him from contacting her, after hearing that she still lives with the fallout of his control and believes he remains a danger.
Who Jamie McGrath Is – and What the Court Heard About His Behaviour
McGrath and his ex-partner met as teenagers and, for a time, appeared to have a typical young relationship.
But the court was told that over the years, he created what prosecutors described as an atmosphere of intimidation and fear.
By 2021, he had moved into her home. There were days when he locked her inside her flat, sometimes for up to a day at a time, cutting her off from her phone and the outside world.
The jury heard this was used as “punishment” if she did something he didn’t like, such as spending time with friends.
On one occasion, after an argument at a Halloween party, he followed her home, pinned her against a wall and punched her in the face.
On another, he bent her fingers back until one broke.
The most terrifying incident came in the bathroom.
He grabbed her head and repeatedly forced it under the water in the bath. She later told police she genuinely feared for her life.
What the Victim Told Him Face-to-Face in Court
In a powerful personal statement read in court, the woman set out how the abuse had seeped into every part of her life.
Her words were directed straight at McGrath, and the courtroom fell silent as she spoke.
“Every day I was scared at the thought of what mood you might be in when you woke up. I will not forget that fear I lived with every day.
“My family and friends knew there were things they couldn't say for fear of offending you, and that I would be irritable, checking my phone constantly, awaiting the demand from you to come home. Even now, they still ask me if I am allowed to meet up with them.
“I will never be the same person again. I do not trust people and avoid areas we visited together. I even planned to take my own life. The abuse did not end when you were arrested, Jamie. I would say it still hasn't ended.
“I don't sleep well and wake up crying. I can't be in a car that is locked. I get scared when I see the car you drove or hear a loud exhaust. I truly believe if you could have taken my life, you would have, and I feel if you get the chance you will kill me.
“I am starting to heal. I hope you feel guilty, but I do not believe you ever will. I hope I have helped another person from being abused at your hands.”
She explained how friends and family had to tiptoe around certain subjects to avoid triggering his temper.
Even now, she said, they still ask whether she is “allowed” to see them.
How the Judge Reached the Sentence – and What the Defence Said
McGrath went on trial in May after denying all wrongdoing.
The jury convicted him of false imprisonment, actual bodily harm and coercive and controlling behaviour, offences that reflect both the violence and the sustained pattern of control.
Sentencing him, Judge Joanne Woodward focused on the fear he created and the danger he posed.
She said he had “restricted her to her ground-floor flat, locking her in circumstances where – though she did have a means of escaping practically – she was so fearful of the consequences that she chose not to.”
The judge noted a report suggesting he had shown “some remorse” but was still minimising the seriousness of what he had done.
She told him he was assessed as a high risk of reoffending and highlighted the moment he squeezed his victim’s neck so hard she struggled to breathe, saying: “She thought that you were going to kill her.”
The defence pointed to McGrath’s age, lack of previous convictions and autism spectrum diagnosis, arguing that it had affected his relationships and ability to reflect on his behaviour.
They also said he had experienced bullying in childhood and in custody, had worked before his arrest and is in a relationship with a partner with whom he has a young son he has not yet met.
The judge accepted that these factors did not excuse the harm he caused and imposed a three-year prison sentence alongside an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim.
How Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Is Prosecuted in England and Wales
Coercive and controlling behaviour in an intimate or family relationship has been a specific criminal offence in England and Wales since 2015.
It was introduced to recognise that domestic abuse is not just about isolated assaults, but also about patterns of control that slowly strip a victim of freedom.
In cases like McGrath’s, police and prosecutors look at what has happened over time, rather than treating each incident in isolation.
Evidence can include messages, social media, witness statements, photos, medical reports and accounts from neighbours, family and friends.
Courts look at:
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Whether the behaviour repeatedly or continuously controlled or coerced the victim
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Whether it had a serious effect on them, such as causing fear or significantly changing how they lived
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Whether the defendant knew, or ought to have known, that what they were doing was abusive
When it comes to sentencing, judges weigh up factors such as how long the behaviour went on, how frightened or isolated the victim became, any physical injury and the risk of further harm.
Coercive control is often sentenced alongside other offences, as happened here with false imprisonment and actual bodily harm.
What Happens Next for Public Protection and the Victim
McGrath will now serve his sentence in custody.
How long he actually spends behind bars will depend on standard rules for time served, but the conviction and sentence are now recorded against him.
The restraining order imposed by the judge is indefinite, meaning it stays in force unless a court changes or lifts it.
It bans him from contacting the victim and can also cover going to particular streets or areas, depending on the specific terms set out by the court.
If he ever breaches that order after his release, it can be treated as a separate criminal offence and brought back before the courts.
Police forces and prosecutors across the country increasingly use restraining orders in domestic abuse cases to give victims ongoing protection once a trial is over.
Following the hearing, PC Mel Corrigan from Greater Manchester Police’s domestic abuse team praised the woman’s courage and determination, describing the case as a “horrific abuse of power” and saying she hoped the outcome would encourage other victims to come forward.
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FAQs: Coercive Control and Sentencing in Cases Like This
How can someone be convicted if they deny the abuse?
A defendant can be convicted if a jury is sure of their guilt after hearing all the evidence, even if they deny everything.
In domestic abuse cases, that evidence can include the victim’s testimony, injuries, photos, messages, witness accounts and medical or police records.
What does a restraining order actually do?
A restraining order is a court order that limits contact between the offender and the victim.
It can forbid direct contact, indirect contact through others or approaching certain addresses or areas.
Breaking a restraining order can lead to arrest and further criminal charges.
Is coercive and controlling behaviour always treated as a crime?
Coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence when it meets the legal definition, including being repeated or continuous and having a serious effect on the victim.
Not every difficult or unhappy relationship will meet that threshold, but the law is designed to cover sustained patterns of abuse and control.
What support is available for people who recognise signs of abuse?
Across the UK there are specialist domestic abuse charities, helplines and support services that can help with safety planning, housing, emotional support and information about legal options.
Police also have dedicated domestic abuse teams in many areas.
