'Calculated' Wrexham man jailed for controlling ex-partner

Fletcher Wright, of Benjamin Road in Wrexham, appeared before Mold Crown Court on Wednesday, November 6.

The 22-year-old previously pleaded guilty, in August of this year, to engaging in controlling behaviour, intentional strangulation and intimidating a witness.

James Coutts, prosecuting, said that Wright had been in a relationship with the complainant Lydia Ramm between October of last year and April of this year.

The offences in question took place between January and April of this year, he said.

Although the relationship started off fine, 'violence' quickly took over, Mr Coutts said.

That included Wright pinching and kicking Ms Ramm, as well as grabbing her by her throat, pulling her hair and making threats to kill her and her dog.

He also 'exerted mental control' by isolating her from her friends family.

Wright would also refuse to accept when Ms Ramm told him the relationship was over.

He was arrested on other matters which related to the couple and bailed, with a condition in place to stop him contacting his ex-partner.

But, he continued to do so, even when she had moved to her mum's house in order to 'try and find safety'.

He would contact her every day and, on one occasion, turned up to a pub shouting and screaming at her when she would not answer his calls and texts.

Wright then began to stay with Ms Ramm every day, as she was 'scared' of what might happen if she didn't let him do so.

He also warned her to drop the charges for the other matters he was out on bail for at the time, the court heard.

He would go through her phone and delete male contacts and become 'angry' and 'manic'.

One one occasion, when a man came round to fix the toilet, Ms Ramm offered him a cup of tea.

Wright accused her of 'flirting', before dragging her into another room, pinning her to the wall by the neck with both hands and smacking her across the face, telling her; "You don't flirt with anyone".

Another time, while she was doing the washing up, he accused her of 'not giving him enough attention' and kneed her in the back of the leg, leaving a bruise.

Wright also accused Ms Ramm of 'loving her dog more than him' and would 'take things out on the dog', the prosecution said.

Attacks became a 'daily occurrence', with Wright telling Ms Ramm 'I just love hitting you'.

Mold Crown Court. (Image: NQ)

In a victim personal statement, Ms Ramm said: "He (Fletcher) took my smile away and made my misery his happiness. I was living to be Fletcher's puppet. I was treading on eggshells every day, because you never knew when the next kick off was going to happen."

She added that she was 'constantly scared for the next reaction' and that Wright had 'destroyed' her life and her dignity, and 'taken away her happiness'.

She described the defendant as 'complicated, calculated and cunning' and added: "I don't think the fear will ever leave me, I don't think I will ever be the same again."

Jemma Gordon, defending, said that a psychological report provided in the case showed that Wright was someone who had 'a number of neurological impairments which may explain his behaviour'. 

She added that this included 'severe learning difficulties' and added that Wright was someone who 'wants to live an appropriate lifestyle and not behave in the way he has done'.

Sentencing Wright, Judge Niclas Parry said: "The facts of this case display so many hallmarks of typical controlling behaviour by a man who would not and could not tolerate a woman living her life the way she chose to do so."

Wright was jailed for three years in total for the three offences.

A restraining order was made to last 'until further order', prohibiting both contact between Wright and Ms Ramm and stopping him from entering the street she lives on, as well as her place of work.

Following sentencing, Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jessica Rowley said: “Domestic abuse can take many forms and can have a profound and lasting effect on a person.

“Fletcher demonstrated a continuous pattern of controlling behaviour throughout the relationship, using violence to instil fear in the victim.

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“He attempted to continue this behaviour throughout the investigation to try and prevent the victim from seeking support.

“Fletcher has showed a complete disregard for the criminal justice system and is a danger to women.

“It isn’t easy to report incidents of this nature, and I commend the bravery of the victim for speaking out and supporting the investigation.

“I would strongly encourage people to request a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme when starting a new relationship. 

“We continue to act on any report of all forms of violence against women, and we will not stop in our efforts to bring perpetrators of domestic abuse to justice.”