Man sentenced for controlling and coercive behaviour, receives 10-year restraining order
Benjamin Carlin jailed following Clare’s Law disclosure after victim subjected to threats and intimidation
Last updated 25th Mar 2026
A 43-year-old man from Stockport has been sentenced to prison and given a 10-year Restraining Order after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour.
Benjamin Carlin was sentenced to two years and one month in prison at Croydon Crown Court on Wednesday, 17 March.
The case came to light in August 2025 when Surrey Police met with a woman under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, also known as Clare’s Law. The victim disclosed that Carlin’s behaviour left her feeling trapped and afraid to end their relationship.
She revealed that Carlin would bombard her with abuse if she did not answer his calls, and routinely threatened to kill her and her family. He also threatened to take his own life if she attempted to leave him.
On 13 August 2025, the victim reported that Carlin’s controlling behaviour had escalated. He accused her of not giving him enough attention and threatened to travel to Surrey to strangle her. While speaking to police, she received over 10 calls from Carlin demanding proof of her whereabouts and accusing her of lying.
Following the escalation, Surrey Police coordinated with West Midlands Police to locate and arrest Carlin. He was charged with coercive and controlling behaviour and remanded in custody, pleading guilty on the first day of his scheduled trial.
The victim has since been in touch to thank the Surrey Police Domestic Abuse Team for their support through the case, and shared:
"The sad fact is, if the Clare's Law hadn’t been done, I would probably still be with Ben whilst lying to myself that there would have been a safe time to leave – when really there was never going to be a safe time.
"I can honestly say I’ve never felt more proud of myself for making a stand on what I knew was the right thing to do. I did it for me, every other woman that has been in a similar position, and for the unfortunate woman who died but made Clare's Law possible for the rest of us.
"With Surrey Police's intervention and help I believe I have my life back and cannot thank you enough."