Vicious Abuser Jailed After Prolonged Campaign of Coercive Control
A callous thug has been sentenced to prison after subjecting his victim to a horrific three-year campaign of controlling and coercive abuse, with disturbing footage revealing him laughing and joking during police questioning.
Systematic Destruction of Victim's Life
James Saxon, 29, from Stockport in Greater Manchester, systematically isolated his victim from friends and family while monitoring her movements through surveillance and intimidation tactics. The court heard how between January 2022 and April 2025, Saxon engaged in an escalating pattern of abusive behaviour that left his victim "living in constant fear" of what he might do next.
Manchester Crown Court was presented with compelling evidence showing how Saxon:
- Followed the victim in his car while monitoring her movements
- Locked her in rooms within their shared address
- Used threats and intimidation to dominate her daily life
- Restricted her independence through emotional manipulation
Disturbing Evidence and Lack of Remorse
Chilling footage from the victim's Ring doorbell captured Saxon screaming at her and threatening neighbours, with one particularly menacing moment captured where he warned: "You're gonna lose your f***ing head." During his police interview, Saxon displayed shocking indifference to his actions.
When shown video evidence of his abusive behaviour, Saxon responded: "I'm happy with this me. Nothing up with that. I am not ashamed of that behaviour. It doesn't matter what I've said." Later, when officers presented additional CCTV footage, he smiled and quipped: "I love watching videos like this. I've not been on it for years, the CCTV."
Escalating Violence and Drug-Fuelled Paranoia
The court heard how Saxon's frequent use of cocaine, cannabis and steroids contributed to erratic and aggressive behaviour that escalated over time. His drug use fuelled paranoid delusions, including one occasion where he convinced himself the victim had been raped and left their address armed with a hammer to search for an imaginary perpetrator.
In March of last year, Saxon's abuse reached a dangerous peak when he pursued the victim's vehicle in his own car and attempted to grab a concealed cosh from the back seat while stopped at traffic lights. Traffic police intervened and arrested him, but even while on bail, Saxon continued to harass and intimidate the victim through social media, text messages, and in-person encounters.
Victim's Harrowing Impact Statement
The victim bravely delivered a powerful impact statement in court, detailing the profound psychological and physical damage caused by Saxon's abuse. She revealed: "His controlling and coercive behaviour slowly took away everything—my confidence, my safety, my independence, and my peace of mind."
She spoke particularly about the devastating impact during her pregnancy, stating: "The stress, fear, and emotional abuse I suffered led to me losing that baby. That loss broke me." Following her miscarriage in January 2025, Saxon showed complete disregard for her grief, telling her to "get over it" whenever she cried.
Police Response and Sentencing
Police Constable Elizabeth Andrews from Stockport's dedicated Domestic Abuse Team commended the victim's bravery in coming forward and emphasised the importance of reporting such behaviour. She stated: "This case demonstrates the devastating impact coercive and controlling behaviour can have on victims. Over several years, Saxon systematically stripped away the victim's sense of self with relentless emotional abuse."
Saxon pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon, and assault. At Manchester Crown Court, he was sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment with a five-year restraining order imposed to protect the victim from further contact.
PC Andrews concluded: "This conviction sends a clear message: GMP will not tolerate this behaviour, and we will do everything possible to protect victims and bring offenders to justice."
