“His controlling and coercive behaviour slowly took away everything” – Abusive offender has been jailed
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A man has been jailed following an escalating pattern of abusive, controlling, and coercive behaviour over a period of three years, January 2022 - April 2025.
James Saxon, (07/05/1996), of Ludlow Road, Stockport, has been sentenced to two years and three months imprisonment and a five year restraining order at Manchester Crown Court, after pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon and assault.
In court, the victim bravely explained in their witness statement that Saxon exhibited manipulative behaviour - isolating them from friends and family and exerting emotional pressure to maintain control. They also described how his frequent use of drugs, including cocaine, cannabis, and steroids, intensified his paranoia, aggression, and erratic behaviour.
Over time, Saxon’s actions became more extreme. He monitored the victim’s movements, restricted their independence, and used threats and intimidation to dominate the victim. Footage from the victim’s ring doorbell was used in court to evidence Saxon irregular behaviour displaying him yelling at the victim, neighbours and the victim’s clients on several occasions.
In March 2025, Saxon’s abuse escalated further, leading to his arrest when they came forward to us.
He pursued the victim’s vehicle in his own car and attempted to retrieve a concealed cosh from the back seat while stopped at traffic lights. GMP response officers intervened quickly, blocking the space between his vehicle and the victim’s, preventing harm, and he was arrested.
Despite being placed under bail conditions, Saxon continued to harass and intimidate the victim, breaching legal boundaries and contacting her through social media, text messages, and in person, this led to him being imminently arrested a remanded in custody.
His behaviour included verbal threats and emotional manipulation, physical intimidation and assault, and covert surveillance such as tailgating the victim’s car and threatening her family. He also interfered with property and legal processes, obstructing the sale of their shared home and removing the security system after his arrest.
Saxon’s drug use frequently fuelled paranoid delusions, causing him to believe false stories about the victim. On one occasion, he convinced himself she had been raped and left the address armed with a hammer, searching for someone he imagined was responsible.
During interview, Saxon showed absolutely no remorse. He laughed throughout, dismissing his abusive behaviour even when confronted with clear, irrefutable evidence.
The victim shared in her evidence that he locked her in a room within the address, refusing to let her out as she cried and pleaded with him, forcing her to contemplate climbing out of a window to escape. His aggression escalated further when he punched a wall in A&E after the victim suffered a miscarriage, she spoke harrowingly about this in her victim impact statement in court.
Saxon’s actions have had a profound and lasting impact on the victim’s mental health, physical wellbeing, financial stability, and their overall sense of safety.
Saxon continued to display no care or remorse throughout his trail as he hysterically laughed at his victim whilst they bravely delivered their victim impact statement.
Heard in court, the victim said: “His controlling and coercive behaviour slowly took away everything—my confidence, my safety, my independence, and my peace of mind.
“I lived in constant fear of what he might do next. What hurts the most is that during this time, I was pregnant. The stress, fear, and emotional abuse I suffered led to me losing that baby. That loss broke me.
“I feel like James is going to harass me forever, and I fear for my family’s safety. I remember after I miscarried in January 2025, James’s behaviour was awful towards me - every time I cried, he told me to ‘get over it.’
“James would scream at me whilst driving, saying he would write the car off with us both in it.
“The physical assault left me with pain and injury to my neck, but the emotional scars run far deeper.”
Police Constable, Elizabeth Andrews from Stockport’s dedicated Domestic Abuse Team, said: “This case demonstrates the devastating impact coercive and controlling behaviour can have on victims.
“Over several years, Saxon systematically stripped away the victim’s sense of self with relentless emotional abuse.
“The victim has showed immense bravery by coming forward and speaking out against Saxon, and I urge anybody is a similar situation to always report this behaviour, as nobody should live in fear.
“This conviction sends a clear message: GMP will not tolerate this behaviour, and we will do everything possible to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.”
Like in this case, not all violence against women and girls starts as physical abuse, and instances may go unreported as people in controlling relationships often do not recognise the harm they face.
To help in preventing this behaviour, we are supporting the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s ‘#IsThisOk?’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness around the signs of coercive and controlling behaviour.
More information on the ‘#IsThisOkay: This is not a Game, Boy’ campaign can be found here: #IsThisOk?
Report and support information
We encourage any victim of domestic abuse to come forward to us by calling 101, reporting on our website, or using our Live Chat service. We are committed to safeguarding vulnerable people, reducing harm and bringing offenders to justice. We will listen, support and act.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
Whether you choose to report to police, or not, please know that support is out there.
You can contact the below local support organisations who will help you.
Greater Manchester domestic abuse helpline Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, except bank holidays. For anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Includes a language service and advice for the LGBT community.
End the Fear includes information on local help all over Greater Manchester.