Maesteg man jailed for coercive control, malicious communications, and sexual assault

 

Christopher Gould, 45, from Maesteg, who subjected a teenager to years of coercive control has been sentenced to four years in jail for coercive control, malicious communications, and sexual assault.

Gould pleaded guilty to the coercive and controlling behaviour and malicious communications charges. He was later found guilty by a jury to the additional offence of sexual assault. 

The coercive and controlling behaviour involved setting up numerous fake social media accounts to ‘befriend’ the victim and her friends. Christopher Gould was then able to monitor her whereabouts, and who she was with, in order that he could stalk and harass her. On another occasion he pretended to be a disgruntled customer at her place of work and sent a malicious complaint via email to her employer using a fake name which caused her to be fired from her job.

The sexual assault happened following a night out, where feeling unsafe, the victim asked Christopher Gould for help as she believed he was a caring and trustworthy adult. Having given her a lift home he sexually assaulted her.

In her victim personal statement, read out at court, the victim, who is now 21, said:

“I want Chris to know he loses his power over me. I refuse to allow his twisted, abusive, and controlling behaviours to dictate my future."

Detective Constable Cath Moore added:

“This was a complex case where the victim showed tenacity and courage to come forward and make a complaint.

“After a prolonged investigation we were able to link the social media and email accounts back to Christopher Gould. 

“It takes tremendous courage and bravery for victims of sexual offences to revisit what are traumatic times in their lives, especially as the offences often remain hidden from family and friends. 

“My message to victims out there is that it is never too late to come forward and report matters.  We will fully support you and do everything we can to bring abusers to justice.”

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, we’re here for you.  When you are ready we can offer support to you – more details here.