A “MANIPULATIVE, controlling and spiteful” 26-year-old man who repeatedly threatened and harassed his former partner has been sentenced to 15 months in prison under new domestic abuse laws.
Andre Correia appeared in the Royal Court yesterday for sentencing under the legislation, which was introduced last year and made coercive and controlling behaviour a criminal offence.
Correia was found guilty in September of multiple offences, including sending abusive messages, making threats to hurt the victim, and behaving in a threatening manner at the victim’s property after they had separated.
This pattern of domestic abuse, the court heard, took place between June 2023 and February 2024, with the defendant’s behaviour becoming increasingly controlling.
Crown Advocate Lauren Hallam, prosecuting, said that Correia repeatedly attempted to isolate the woman from her friends and family and “bombarded” her with abusive messages when she went out without him.
He was said to have frequently called her a liar, claimed he would “teach her her place”, and told her she would “disappear”.
The lawyer also referred to one recorded argument in which Correia was heard to say: “I do not need to hit you to mess up your life.”
The court heard that the pair began dating in 2021 and would regularly argue, but on 11 February the situation escalated when Correia went to the victim’s flat while she was inside with a friend. When he was refused entry, Correia returned with a “large and heavy hammer” and began banging on the door, shouting threats until the police arrived and he left the area.
Crown Advocate Hallam described Correia as “a manipulative, controlling, and spiteful man” and argued that his actions posed a clear risk to the victim.
Advocate Ian Jones, defending, said that Correia’s behaviour was influenced by difficult personal circumstances, including the impact of a major bereavement during the course of the relationship.
Advocate Jones added that the threatening messages were sent “in the heat of the moment”.
He described Correia as a “relatively young man” with no prior convictions.
Speaking about the reasons why the defendant failed to attend a domestic abuse programme delivered by the probation service, the advocate said Correia was “still processing the fact of his conviction” and “has put up various barriers and is adopting a siege mentality”.
However, while delivering the sentence of the Jurats, Royal Court Commissioner Sir William Bailhache said a custodial sentence was necessary because of Correia’s “lack of remorse and lack of willingness to accept you need help in managing your emotions”.
He said that the not-guilty plea initially entered by the defendant, who also refused to attend improvement classes, indicated his unwillingness to acknowledge his actions or seek support in addressing his behaviour.
Sir William said: “You should think about these comments and what they mean.”
In addition to the 15-month custodial sentence, of which Correia has already served 74 days on remand, the court imposed a five-year domestic abuse protection order to prevent further contact with the victim.
Sir William concluded: “We consider you need to think of your own conduct quite carefully. You will need help to manage yourself in the future.”
Jurats Jane Ronge and Andrew Cornish were sitting.
