Ely man jailed for controlling wife
He threatened to kill the victim and her children.
A man who tried to stop his wife from seeing her children has been jailed for a campaign of violence and coercive control.
31 year-old Joseph McEnaney, of Carey Close, Ely, began abusing his wife in February, just three months after they married, telling her she had to choose between “him or them” – referring to her children from a previous relationship.
He threatened to kill the victim and her children, leaving her in fear.
The following month, while in a car, he punched her in the face and hit her head against the door after accusing her of adultery.
The violence continued after she went to bed that day; upon waking her, he picked her up by the throat and threw her to the floor, before punching and kicking her head.
Just days later, when the victim asked him to move over in bed, he launched into another violent attack.
He bit her lip, threw her onto the bed, punched her and pinned her down by the neck, restricting her breathing.
In June, McEnaney threatened the victim with a knife, and grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a door. He prodded the knife around her head before dragging it down her face, causing a small cut.
On another occasion that month he ridiculed the victim about her weight at a gym and in front of other people.
The victim managed to flee their home to safety later that month.
McEnaney pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship, two counts of intentional strangulation and three counts of actual bodily harm. One count of intentional strangulation was ordered to lay on file.
On Friday, 21 November, at Peterborough Crown Court, McEnaney was sentenced to two years and three months in prison.
Detective Emily South said: “This was a shocking case of coercive control and violence. McEnaney’s behaviour was relentless and terrifying.
“We commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and ensuring he was brought to justice.”