Burnley man jailed for controlling and coercive behaviour against wife

Between 2016 and 2022 Christopher Taylor (60) of Athens View, Athletic Street, Burnley, carried out a sustained campaign of abuse against his wife, Tanya Taylor.

It included:

* isolating her from her friends and family

* tracking her movements

* controlling her finances

* threatening to kill her

* threatening her with violence

* pretending to be her in messages and sending nude images of her to other people

* forcing her to have his name tattooed on her body

* making false internet dating profiles of her

* installing cameras inside their home

* removing locks on all doors inside the property so she couldn’t be alone

* and withholding prescribed medication after she had a stroke two years ago

Taylor has today (April 3rd) been sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

It follows a previous hearing, where he pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship and three counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

Constant abuse

Now, Tanya, aged 56, has shown immense bravery and has asked that police share this with you so that she might help others avoid or escape the same situation.

She said: “Over the years I simply felt that there was no escape from constant abuse. Most of it happened behind closed doors within the family home and involved just myself and Christopher.

“I’ve always envisaged home is where I’m supposed to feel safe, yet for me that was where the worst things that could ever happen were occurring throughout my marriage.

“This person was supposed to be protect me, love me, protect me from the evils of the world, however Christopher was subjecting me to the most unimaginable things, such as contacting friends and associates via social media, sending pictures of myself naked to male associates, pretending to be me when people replied, getting in touch with associates’ partners who he had sent pictures to.

“All this was totally bizarre, frightening, twisted behaviour that l endured constantly when l was married to Christopher.

“He would put me on dating websites and pretend to be me all the time. I just can’t understand how anybody could do that to someone they were supposed to be in love with.”

She explained that Christopher would always make her believe she was in the wrong if she challenged him, and used the threat of violence – or actual violence, such as punching the wall near where she was standing – to control her.

She added: “I felt unloved but couldn’t escape what was happening to me. l was isolated from my family, l had become isolated to extended family.

“Christopher wanted to control of every aspect of my life. I actually truly believe Christopher was capable of killing me and I was going to end up dead.”

Courage

Tanya suffered from depression, stress and anxiety, while feeling “ashamed” and unable to admit to others what was happening.

However, in September 2022 she summoned the courage to report the abuse to police.

The mother-of-four explained: “Speaking out was so daunting. l look back and l don’t know where I found the strength as l feared for the safety of what Christopher could do to me or the children. The threats were real, the intimidation was real and the thought Christopher could hurt somebody that l love was an extremely dark time in my life and the thoughts still haunt me. The fear hasn’t gone away.

“I have since evaluated and l am proud to state it took immense courage on my part.”

Now Tanya is working hard to repair her relationships with family and friends, and though she still suffers panic attacks and has nightmares most nights, can see an improvement in her mental health.

She now hopes that by sharing her story she will help others who are in a similar situation.

Platform to feel safe

“The support I received from Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and Lancashire Victim Support picked me up when l most needed it and supported me through this whole ordeal,” she said.

“Lancashire Police gave me a platform to feel safe. l felt listened too, l was treated with integrity and my family was safeguarded by the safeguarding unit. l felt fully up-to-date during the process and without the support of everyone the process of the investigation would simply have been too much, especially with my poor health.

“Since Christopher being convicted for his abuse l feel empowered in some respects and feel l can close a chapter in life and move forward as a survivor of domestic abuse.

“Provisions have been put in place to protect me and my family long-term which gives me confidence in the justice system.

“l have written my story to encourage victims of domestic abuse, both male and female, to come forward as there is hope and light at the end of tunnel. The journey isn’t easy and there were days l felt l didn’t have the strength to continue. But I did, and it does get easier.”

Incredibly devious

DC Dave Senior, of Lancashire Police’s East Safeguarding Unit, said: “Christopher Taylor is an incredibly devious offender, who exploited Tanya for a number of years. He began by isolating her from her family and friends and all the actions that followed were those of a high-risk perpetrator of domestic abuse.

“Our investigation uncovered extreme coercive and controlling behaviour, and the fact that Tanya was able to find the strength to walk away and report it is incredible. She has to be commended for her bravery throughout this investigation.

“She started this journey extremely vulnerable, but with help and support the difference in her confidence and self-esteem is huge. Tanya is no longer a victim - l prefer to use the term ‘survivor’ - and she is on the road to recovery.

“I welcome today’s sentence and am satisfied that the long-term safeguarding provisions in place will protect both Tanya and her family.

“I would now encourage any victim of domestic abuse to come forward.

“A victim’s safety is paramount and we will treat you professionally, with respect and kindness. Within the Safeguarding Unit we understand that victims may not feel able to trust anyone because of the extensive trauma they’ve sustained, however we have the time to go back to basics with them, giving them reassurance and giving them a voice so they can tell us what they want and need from the judicial process.

“With partnership agencies we can help you move forward, get help and ensure your abuser is dealt with robustly and proportionately. We can meet you at your preferred location if you are concerned about attending a police station or having us attend your address.

“We want to help you and will do everything in our power to do so. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”

You can report anything to us on 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also report online at doitonline.lancashire.police.uk.