A Watford man who accused his pregnant girlfriend of sleeping with someone else to induce labour has avoided jail.
St Albans Crown Court heard how Shane Spearman, now 29, of Croxley View, had carried out numerous offences of coercive and controlling behaviour during an increasingly toxic relationship with the woman between November 2018 and May 2020.
He also insulted her appearance, grabbed her by the hair, threw a child’s doll at her head, flicked a towel in her face, held a knife to her throat, and pushed her head into a wall when he discovered she had packed her bags.He was found guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour and a second charge of possessing a bladed article, following a trial in August.
But, in his defence, Simran Ghotra highlighted how Spearman had a complex mental health history, suffering from numerous conditions including ADHD, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, and had spent the past few years seeking support. Ms Ghotra said her client was a supportive father who spent time daily with his nan - who suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia - and helped his granddad with shopping and gardening. She said he had made real progress over the past few years, including seeking help from MIND mental health charity, and had shown he can abstain from the behaviour evidenced during his relationship with Miss Tate.
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