Blackburn abuser physically and emotionally damaged victim

Simon Wardingley, 37, would persistently grab his victim by the throat during the prolonged period of abuse, which lasted from around November 2021 until February 2023.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Wardingley would sometimes be okay but could suddenly become aggressive and controlling.

Keith Jones, prosecuting, said there were numerous incidents where Wardingley would become angry and pin the woman against a wall with his hand around her neck.

Often he would be apologetic almost straight away, but the abuse continued.

An incident in February 2022 resulted in Wardingley strangling his victim and dragging her across the room, before pushing her with such force that both her feet left the floor.

In another incident on April 7, 2022, Wardingley arrived home from work and kicked the door as it had jammed, and said the door had “mugged him off.”

When the victim asked what was wrong, he leapt at her and grabbed her around the neck with both hands.

Simon Wardingley (Image: Lancashire Police)

On occasion when the victim tried to defend herself, Wardingley would tell her things like raising her voice to him “was not good behaviour and provocative.”

As well as the physical abuse, the victim also started noticing strange activity on her online accounts.

On eBay, she saw a previous search for ‘I’m a narcissistic b***h” and saved items such as a book titled ‘A Book for a C**t’.

Wardingley was interviewed by police in February 2023 and denied the offences, instead blaming his victim by saying she was drunk and violent.

He said all the allegations were lies and that he was the victim of domestic abuse.

In a personal statement read to the court by the victim, she said the trauma she endured under Wardingley had left her “shattered physically and emotionally.”

She said: “This manipulation and cruelty eroded my mental health over time. He exploited me most when I was vulnerable.

“If I dared argue back this would be met with some form of physical violence.

“I’m thankful every day his abuse didn’t kill me.”

Wardingley, of Whittaker Street, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to offences of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and witness intimidation, at a trial.

He had one previous conviction for a dissimilar matter in 2016.

Ellie Watson, mitigating, said Wardingley had been on remand for seven months and that a suspended sentence would give him the opportunity to learn and develop from his offending.

She said: “With hindsight he fully understand his behaviour was unacceptable and he regrets those actions.”

Judge Sara Dodd, sentencing, said: “Your behaviour towards the victim over a two year period can only be described as appalling.

“It’s clear in my judgement you have had a very substantial impact upon the health, physically and mentally, of her.

Burnley Crown Court (Image: Archive)

“This was persistent conduct over a prolonged period. Multiple methods of controlling and coercive behaviour were deployed.”

Judge Dodd sentenced Wardingley to 58 weeks in prison for the assault and witness intimidation offences.

A two-year sentence suspended for 21 months was imposed for the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Judge Dodd said: “I have done this in the hope the interventions put in place and the work the probation service will do with you eliminate any future risk you do pose.”

Wardingley must also complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 141 hours of unpaid work. A restraining order of five years was also imposed.