A man drove a woman around the country – ending up around 340 miles away from her Nottinghamshire home – while subjecting her to controlling and coercive behaviour.
Jonathan Cook, 25, took her to various locations including Whitby in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, London and Cornwall during a week-long ordeal.
Concerned family members contacted Nottinghamshire Police and the force liaised closely with Devon and Cornwall Police which led to the pair being found on Marazion Beach in Cornwall and Cook being arrested on 16 October 2021.
Cook, of Holbeck Lane, Holbeck, Worksop, also used other methods to control the victim and previously had continued to contact her, between March and October last year, despite her requests for him to leave her alone.
During this period Cook’s persistent controlling behaviour included following her in his vehicle, going to her home address when she wasn’t there, speaking to her friends and family members about her in an attempt to isolate her from other people and turning up unannounced at locations where she was.
Cook pleaded guilty to using controlling and coercive behaviour and was jailed for two years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday (7 March 2022). He was also made subject of a 10-year restraining order.
Detective Constable Morgan Fitzpatrick, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Cook subjected this woman to a truly harrowing ordeal and was unrelenting in his attempts to contact her against her wishes.
“Understandably she looked terrified and was visibly shaking when officers found them in Cornwall following some good police teamwork.
“I’d like to commend the survivor for her immense bravery shown throughout this investigation and hope the prison sentence handed to Cook brings her some degree of closure.
“I also hope it reassures other survivors of these types of offences that Nottinghamshire Police treats reports of this nature extremely seriously and will do everything it can to support victims.
“You are not alone. If you make an allegation we will listen to you, we will investigate with care, determination and professionalism and we do everything we can to get justice for you.
“I cannot stress enough that we are there for everyone in their time of need. We understand how difficult it can be to seek help and what a very big step this can be to come forward, however I’d like to make it clear that if you do come to us for help we will listen, we will take you seriously and we will take action to help you.
“If you are in danger, please call 999 and we will come to your aid. If you feel more comfortable seeking support from another organisation such as a charity then that is fine, but I want you to know that the police are here to help you.”
