Stewart Hayes, then aged 44, has been sentenced to 40 months’ imprisonment at Oxford Crown Court on Friday, 11 September, after admitting to a campaign of domestic abuse and coercive control that left his former partner hospitalised on three separate occasions.
The prosecution arose from a relationship that lasted from December 2024 to January, during which Hayes subjected the victim to relentless physical assaults, psychological manipulation, and financial exploitation.
Prosecuting barrister Matthew Bolt informed the court that Hayes assaulted the woman more than 25 times over the course of the relationship.
The physical violence included delivering heavy blows to her head, punching her in the jaw, slamming doors onto her body, and pulling her down a flight of stairs by her hair.
During one terrifying encounter, the victim was left weeping and shaking before contacting her parents to help her escape the address.
The court was told that Hayes accompanied the physical violence with oppressive controlling and coercive behaviour designed to cut the victim off from family, friends, and support systems.
Hayes monitored her movements constantly, stopped others from conversing with her, and blocked her from attending essential medical appointments.
During one destructive argument, Hayes emptied a carton of orange juice into her packed suitcase and smashed all of her cosmetics.
Furthermore, Hayes stole £32,000 of her money and subjected her to extreme degradation by telling her that she had to steal food to eat.
In a personal impact statement read aloud to the court, the victim detailed the severe consequences of his actions: “Over one year, I was physically assaulted on more than 26 occasions. He beat me repeatedly and ripped my hair out. The abuse was so serious, I was hospitalised on three occasions. He caused serious psychological harm. I lived with fear, distress, confusion and psychological trauma. I want to rebuild my life and feel safe again. I still live with the consequences.”
The court was informed that Hayes was a persistent offender with 12 previous convictions covering 21 offences.
On the first day of his scheduled trial, Hayes entered guilty pleas to:
- Two counts of engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour
- One count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Sentencing Hayes, Mr Recorder Alan Gardner KC described the offending as sustained and truly appalling, remarking that his behaviour had been calculated to humiliate, degrade, and isolate a vulnerable woman.
The judge sentenced Hayes to an immediate custodial term of 40 months (three years and four months).
The court also imposed a 10-year restraining order strictly prohibiting Hayes from contacting the victim directly or indirectly.
Release Calculation: Under UK sentencing legislation governing standard determinate custodial sentences, Hayes is eligible for statutory release on licence at the halfway mark. He is required to serve one-half (20 months) of his 40-month sentence in prison custody before release. Having spent seven months remanded in custody awaiting sentence, that period will count towards time served, meaning Hayes will serve the remainder of his custodial requirement before completing the rest of his term under probation supervision in the community.
For the latest updates and offender details, follow us on the Offender Register Facebook Page. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on how to report a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.