In 2024, the Offender Database recorded that 35-year-old Faith Connolly—formerly of Widnes—was jailed for two years after a “short but intense” relationship where they began controlling a woman within 24 hours of meeting. Connolly appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from HMP Berwyn. It was reported that the investigation established Connolly met their victim on a bus on 14 June while helping her carry shopping, before immediately beginning a campaign of psychological and physical dominance.
The investigation established that within days, the victim was made to feel like a “possession” with “no control over her own life.” The prosecution reported that on 18 June, Connolly applied pressure to the victim’s neck during a kiss, leaving her fearing for her life and feeling as though she would lose consciousness. Throughout the brief relationship, the victim was “belittled” and subjected to aggressive physical contact, with Connolly even questioning why she closed the door when using the bathroom.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Connolly committed a significant breach of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) during this period. The investigation established that on 19 June, while on a shopping trip with the victim’s sister and children, Connolly took photographs of the minors and spent up to eight minutes unsupervised with them. The prosecution reported that this was a direct violation of the SHPO imposed in 2021, when Connolly was jailed for eight years for groping two young schoolgirls.
Judge-led proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court concluded with Recorder Mark Shepherd sentencing Connolly to a total of two years in prison. For their actions in Widnes and the repeated breach of statutory orders, they were also made subject to a 10-year restraining order to protect the victim. The judge noted that Connolly showed controlling behaviour “from the word go,” highlighting the “alarming speed” at which they sought to isolate and dominate their partner.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the records reported in Cheshire and Merseyside, the status of Faith Connolly as of April 9, 2026, was as follows:
- Custodial Status: SERVING/RELEASED ON LICENCE (Sentenced to 2 years in 2024; depending on exact release date, may be under strict supervision).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for life.
- SHPO Status: Subject to an INDEFINITE Sexual Harm Prevention Order (Including strict bans on unsupervised contact with children and digital monitoring).
- Restraining Order: Active until 2034 (Prohibiting any contact with the victim of the controlling behaviour).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Controlling and coercive behaviour; Breach of SHPO; Previous convictions for sexual assault of children).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court; investigated by Cheshire Constabulary.
- Criminal Record: Convicted child groper; Strangled partner during a 10-day relationship; Breached court orders by taking photos of and being alone with children.
- Origin: Widnes, Cheshire (Formerly).
Monitoring and Public Protection
Connolly is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender within the community. Due to the nature of their conduct—specifically the “rapid escalation of controlling behaviour” and the “flagrant disregard for SHPO conditions”—their management is a priority for the MAPPA (Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements) team. Authorities state that Connolly’s history of targeting schoolgirls, combined with their more recent predilection for domestic strangulation, identifies them as an individual who poses a severe risk to both children and adult partners.
As a registered sex offender for life, the 37-year-old’s details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that the 10-year restraining order is a vital safeguard to prevent further psychological or physical harm to their former partner. Any failure to report a change of address, any attempt to contact the victim, or any unauthorised proximity to minors will result in immediate arrest to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from an individual who demonstrated a persistent and “possession-based” approach to human relationships.
QUESTION – Given that the offender began controlling their victim within “24 hours” and breached an indefinite order almost immediately, do you believe that “Rapid Reoffending” should trigger a mandatory minimum 5-year “Return to Custody” regardless of the new offence’s category?
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