Two victims receive justice after investigation by two of GMP’s dedicated domestic abuse teams

We have secured a four-year custodial sentence for Shamar Guthrie-Ellis, 22, of Ayres Road in Old Trafford, following a complex investigation into domestic abuse against two women in Greater Manchester. An indefinite Domestic Abuse Protection Order (DAPO) was also granted to safeguard one of the victims.

Guthrie-Ellis was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on 15 August 2025 for several offences against two victims, including assault and coercive control, as well as assaulting a female police officer by kicking her and causing her hand to bleed, during one of his arrests.

He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial, after originally denying the charges, an act very likely aimed at attempting to remain in control over his victims.

Our investigation began in March 2024, after the first victim courageously reported physical and psychological abuse, that she had previously been subjected to during a relationship with Guthrie-Ellis, between 2021 and 2022. This included going through her phone without permission, controlling who she could speak to or be friends with on social media, isolating her from friends and colleagues, and causing numerous injuries to her, some of which required medical attention at hospital, and one injury even required surgical treatment.

Whilst Gurthie-Ellis was on bail for offences against the first victim, we were called by a member of the public, alerting us to an incident between Gurthie-Ellis and another woman. This led us to become aware of similar patterns of coercive and controlling behaviour at the hands of Guthrie-Ellis.

Multiple phones belonging to Guthrie-Ellis were seized. Data downloaded from these mobile phones were analysed by investigating officers, who discovered controlling behaviour towards the second victim, shown within text messages. This included monitoring her location and making threats of violence.

As the victims were from different parts of Greater Manchester, Salford and Trafford, our dedicated domestic abuse teams across both districts worked closely in partnership to ensure both victims were safeguarded from further abuse, and we could present the strongest possible evidential file to the Crown Prosecution Service. Guthrie-Ellis has remained on remand since January this year.

PC Hannah Colwell from Trafford’s Domestic Abuse Team, who dealt with the offences committed against the first victim, said: “This victim was incredibly brave to come forward to us, which we understand is extremely difficult.

“We know she was concerned that the time lapsed since the offending may mean action couldn’t be taken, but these convictions and sentence prove undoubtedly that we are still committed to seeking justice for victims, no matter the time passed.

“I am pleased that an indefinite DAPO upon conviction has also been secured, which helps to safeguard the victim even after the case has now concluded, preventing Guthrie-Ellis from contacting her without punishment.”

PC Alyssa Thomas from Salford’s Domestic Abuse Team, who dealt with the offence against the second victim, added: “Even though this victim didn’t support a prosecution of Guthrie-Ellis for the abuse she has suffered, we still pursued charges, recognising the significant risk he posed not only to her, but to other women as well.

“We understand that coming forward to police is not a decision some victims and survivors wish to make, but no matter what, we will be there to ensure you are safeguarded and supported. Ultimately, protecting victims from further abuse is our priority.”

Both victims were subjected to coercive and controlling behaviour, which we know remains significantly underreported to police and support organisations. We are supporting the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s ‘#IsThisOk?’ campaign, which is currently focused on raising greater awareness about the signs of coercive and controlling behaviour. It is the hope that this will help perpetrators to recognise their behaviour and actively change it and encourage more victims to come forward to report it.

You can find out more about the signs of coercive control, and the campaign here: #IsThisOK? - Greater Manchester Combined Authority

The first victim provided a statement which was read to the court upon sentencing about the abuse she had suffered. Some of it is here and demonstrates the long lasting impact coercive control and domestic abuse can have: “The impact of this abusive relationship has been painful, leaving me not only emotionally devastated but also forcing me into a position of complete independence at a young age, which has taken a significant toll on my mental, emotional, and financial well-being.

“As a result of my now lack of trust, my relationships with family, friends, and coworkers have suffered. The job that I had whilst I was in a relationship with Shamar, I struggled to communicate what I was going through with my colleagues, leading to frequent unauthorised absences. Frequent sick days ultimately resulted in my termination.

“During this period, I vividly remember spending my lunch breaks at work in the restroom, crying, overwhelmed and wishing for the pain to end. I didn’t see the point in anything for a long time because I was made to feel worthless by Shamar due to his controlling behaviour.

“I used to be a popular and sociable person before this relationship, however over time I began to distance myself from my friends and family, to try and avoid further arguments with Shamar due to his jealous tendencies, and to avoid them seeing me with physical injuries caused by Shamar.

“When the relationship ended with Shamar, it felt like I almost had no body left in my life due to me losing most of my friends by that point. I did have a few solid friends who stood by me throughout the relationship, however I found it very hard to go back to normal once I was single, as I had pushed so many people away from me. I also found myself feeling out of place and disconnected in social events, as I still carried the emotional and psychological effects of his manipulation and controlling behaviour, and I found it extremely hard to try and go back to my usual confident and sociable self.

“I often felt as though I was violating his “rules” by becoming friends with people again, and by interacting with other people again, because Shamar always made me feel like I couldn’t socialise with my friends.

“Since the end of the relationship, I have not been able to get into new relationships with men, largely due to the trauma I endured. Trusting men is now an incredibly difficult, if not impossible, task for me. I’m terrified of opening up to someone new again and trusting that they won’t put me through the same abuse that Shamar put me through.

“I will continue to carry the weight of this trauma with me, as it has already shaped my past, present, and will undoubtedly affect my future.”

We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable people, reducing harm and bringing offenders to justice. We will listen, support and act.

If you are experiencing abuse, we urge you to come forward to us or a support organisation. Information can be found here: Advice about domestic abuse | Greater Manchester Police