Man jailed for multiple offences including controlling and coercive behaviour and making threats to kill

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of multiple offences including controlling and coercive behaviour and making threats to kill.

Marcus Hadley, from Newport, was arrested in Cardiff after the victim made a 999 call from her locked bathroom.

She had been assaulted by 35-year-old Hadley who was threatening to pour boiling water over her.

Police arrived and Hadley was arrested at the scene.

Following his arrest, enquiries revealed that Hadley had been engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour and this had caused the victim to fear that violence, on at least two occasions, would be used against her.

Officer in the case PC Ffion Robinson, from South Wales Police, said:

“Two years of physical and emotional abuse culminated in an horrific attack on the victim in July 4, 2024. She feared for her life and thankfully rang 999.
“During the attack, the victim was bitten to the cheek and had a knife held to her throat.”

Hadley denied the offences but following a trial at Newport Crown Court in November 2024, he was convicted of engaging in controlling / coercive behaviour, assault by beating, assault occasioning her actual bodily harm and making threats to kill.

He was sentenced at the same court yesterday (Monday, January 6) to five years in prison for the threats to kill, with sentences for the other offences to run concurrently.

PC Robinson added:

“The victim has been so brave throughout this ordeal and the court process, and we hope the outcome at court allows her to rebuild her confidence.
"The power of controlling and coercive behaviour means that anyone regardless of age, gender, sexuality and profession can be a victim.
“To the outside world, perpetrators can often seem like lovely, charming people. Victims can worry that they won’t be believed, or they feel embarrassed, or that they have led themselves into the situation.
“If you are in an abusive relationship, whether the perpetrator is your partner or a family member, please don’t think this, please report it. Support is available and we have specially trained officers who will help.”

Please contact South Wales Police by one of the following means:

• Live Chat https://www.south-wales.police.uk/
• Report online https://www.south-wales.police.uk/ro/report
• 101

Always call 999 in an emergency.