In 2026, a 34-year-old man was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at Burnley Crown Court after pleading guilty to a prolonged campaign of coercive control and physical violence directed against a woman.
Adam Underdown, residing at North Church Street, Fleetwood, appeared before the court for sentencing on Friday 16 October 2026 following an extensive safeguarding investigation by Lancashire Police.
The prosecution detailed that Underdown exercised pervasive domestic abuse and manipulation, deliberately restricting the victim’s ability to communicate with her family and friends while coercing her into ceasing all social media activity. Underdown subjected the victim to incessant telephone calls to track her movements, interrogated her about her daily actions, and dictated what she was permitted to wear, subjecting her to persistent humiliation.
The court heard that during one violent confrontation, Underdown spat directly into the victim’s face and seized her around the throat. He then forcefully hurled her across the room, causing her to strike her head against the floor. As the attack continued, Underdown grabbed the woman by her hair, dragged her backwards, and repeatedly slammed a door onto her foot at least ten times.
In a poignant victim impact statement presented during the proceedings, the survivor described the profound psychological toll inflicted by the prolonged abuse:
“The control was relentless and made me question the very core of me, and I no longer trusted my own thoughts and feelings.”
Following his arrest, Underdown initially attempted to evade accountability during formal interviews with Blackpool CID detectives, flatly denying that he had engaged in coercive or controlling acts before ultimately entering a guilty plea prior to trial.
Underdown formally pleaded guilty to:
One count of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship
Detective Constable Beth Marler, of Blackpool CID, commented following the sentence:
“The victim has showed immense bravery by coming forward and speaking out against Underdown, and I urge anybody in a similar situation to always report this behaviour, as nobody should live in fear. This conviction sends a clear message: Lancashire Police will not tolerate this behaviour, and we will do everything possible to protect victims and bring offenders to justice.”
Passing sentence, the Crown Court judge condemned Underdown’s systematic erosion of the victim’s independence alongside the severe, calculated physical violence deployed during the relationship.
The judge sentenced Underdown to an immediate custodial term of three years’ imprisonment and granted a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting or approaching the victim.
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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