WARMINSTER man Owen Coombs has been jailed for two years and four months for domestic abuse offences – including punching his victim in the face.

The 23-year-old, of Kings Court, Warminster, was sentenced at Swindon Magistrates Court on October 3 for engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour, assault, ABH and possession of a class B drug.

It came after, on August 26, Coombs’ victim reported a theft following a verbal argument. He grabbed her through a window and punched her in the face.

At court, he was sentenced to two years in prison for coercive and controlling behaviour, four months for ABH (to run consecutively), one month for battery (to run concurrently), and was given a five-year restraining order. Coombs was not given a separate penalty for possession.

Local Crime Investigator for Wiltshire Police, Amanda Southey, said: “Coercive control has a significant impact on a person and often causes long-term adverse effects on their emotional well-being.

“This can make it harder for a victim to come forward and I would like to thank the victim for their bravery in assisting our investigation.

“Coombs subjected his victim to a series of abusive acts and without the victim coming forward and reporting these incidents to the police, we would have found it difficult to secure the sentence.

“No one should have to undergo any form of physical violence and as a Force, we are here to listen to you and are committed to providing the necessary support to help bring you justice.

“You should never feel alone in such circumstances and in making contact with us, you are doing the right thing.”

People can report crime through the police website domestic abuse page, or by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.