A husband set up dating profiles in his wife’s name ‘catfishing men’ and sent a naked photo of her to a friend.

Chris Taylor, 60, has been jailed for controlling his wife, Tanya, who agreed to be named, and after 14 years, decided enough was enough.

Bob Sastry, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said that during their marriage, Taylor punched walls, set up dating profiles in his wife’s name and even sent a naked photo of his wife to one of her friends.

On one occasion, the court was told that Tanya was told about a dating profile in her name online and approached her husband about it.

He denied having done anything and got ‘very angry’.

In August, the woman was asked by a friend is she had been sending messages and nude images which she had not.

She again asked Taylor about this and he denied it, again becoming ‘extremely angry’.

Later that month, she noticed a lot of notifications from a dating website so asked him what they were, again making him angry, leading him to punch a wall near her before brandishing a knife and gesturing towards his chest, threatening to kill himself.

A few weeks later, she managed to leave him but he contacted her daughter and left a threatening message on September 1.

He was arrested by police later that day and while searching his house, officers found an arsenal of weapons, including three offensive weapons, a butterfly knife, a hand claw and a baton.

Following his arrest and remand into custody, Taylor called and sent letters to Tanya, something she said had been distressing.

In a victim impact statement, she also discussed being mentally and physically affected by what he had done to her and that he would make her feel ‘guilty’ and like she was in the wrong if she questioned him.

Mitigating, Joseph Allman said that Taylor, of Athens View, Athletic Street, Burnley, was struggling with his mental health and the time but that he was now taking his medication.

He attempted to argue for the judge to impose a suspended sentence to allow Taylor to complete a building better relationships course, but Judge Phillip Parry said that the only option, in this case, was to jail Taylor.

While sentencing him, Judge Parry said: “You kept her under fear and control.

“She genuinely thought you were going to kill her.”

Judge Parry said that his behaviour was ‘humiliating and degrading’ for Tanya and that he subjected her to psychological torture.

Judge Parry jailed Taylor, who pleaded guilty to one count of controlling and coercive behaviour and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon, to two years and one month in prison.

He has also imposed a 10 year restraining order.

DC Dave Senior, of Lancashire Police’s East Safeguarding Unit, said: “Christopher Taylor is an incredibly devious offender, who exploited Tanya for a number of years. He began by isolating her from her family and friends and all the actions that followed were those of a high-risk perpetrator of domestic abuse.

“Our investigation uncovered extreme coercive and controlling behaviour, and the fact that Tanya was able to find the strength to walk away and report it is incredible. She has to be commended for her bravery throughout this investigation.

“She started this journey extremely vulnerable, but with help and support the difference in her confidence and self-esteem is huge. Tanya is no longer a victim - l prefer to use the term ‘survivor’ - and she is on the road to recovery.

“I welcome today’s sentence and am satisfied that the long-term safeguarding provisions in place will protect both Tanya and her family.

“I would now encourage any victim of domestic abuse to come forward.

“A victim’s safety is paramount and we will treat you professionally, with respect and kindness. Within the Safeguarding Unit we understand that victims may not feel able to trust anyone because of the extensive trauma they’ve sustained, however we have the time to go back to basics with them, giving them reassurance and giving them a voice so they can tell us what they want and need from the judicial process.

“With partnership agencies we can help you move forward, get help and ensure your abuser is dealt with robustly and proportionately. We can meet you at your preferred location if you are concerned about attending a police station or having us attend your address.

“We want to help you and will do everything in our power to do so. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

You can report anything to us on 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also report online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk.

More information is at www.noexcuseforabuse.co.uk

Below are some safeguarding measures we can put in place, along with some questions we will ask to ensure your safety once a report has been made:

  • Does victim have access to a phone or landline?
  • Is the risk to the victim significant enough that refuge will be considered?
  • Has a disclosure been made under Clare’s Law?
  • Is a Domestic Violence Protection Order/Notice an option? This enables police and magistrates to ban a domestic violence perpetrator from returning to their home or having contact with the victim for up to 28 days in the immediate aftermath of a domestic violence incident.
  • Do locks need changing urgently by police or a locksmith?
  • Does risk mean a national monitored alarm should be installed?
  • Do any free safeguarding apps, such as Hollie Guard or Bright Sky, need to be installed on the victim’s phone?
  • Does the victim need to be referred to an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate?
  • Does the victim have an exit strategy or plan for high-risk circumstances?
  • Does the victim have a support network of friends or associates and a safe place they can go in a crisis or emergency?