Man jailed for controlling and coercive behaviour towards wife
Victim tracked with devices and cameras over two years in extreme case of coercive control
A man from Mepal near Ely has been sentenced to five years behind bars for controlling and coercive behaviour towards his wife.
Charles Linsey, a 30-year-old from Brick Lane, used tracking devices, cameras, and hacked into multiple accounts to monitor the victim for nearly two years. The invasive behaviour escalated to the point where the woman spent most of her time confined to one room at home to avoid being watched.
Detectives revealed the situation began in 2022, initially with the victim agreeing to a tracker on her phone to reassure him, but Linsey's actions became increasingly extreme. He accessed her social media accounts, deleted colleagues, declined friend requests, and logged into her devices to view personal files.
Linsey maintained lists of her passwords, noted locations she visited and installed a tracker in her car without her knowledge. He also threatened her when she attempted to interfere with the cameras installed throughout their home.
The victim eventually sought help from friends and family, moving out in April this year. However, Linsey continued his harassment, remotely hacking her WhatsApp and even watching her from a fence at her new address.
In May, an incident of physical aggression occurred when Linsey saw a friend at her home. Enraged, he banged on her door, shouted abuse, and scratched her friend's car. The victim called 999 and was relocated by officers to a relative's home temporarily.
Later that night, Linsey reappeared outside the victim's window, demanding to see her and shouting threats. He also bombarded her with abusive messages and calls. Evidence the victim had been collecting for legal proceedings was remotely deleted by Linsey, further intensifying the harassment.
On arrest, police discovered a firearm, knives, handwritten notes on hacking and coding, and detailed logs about the victim at Linsey's residence.
On 22nd December, Linsey pleaded guilty to charges including possessing a firearm, engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship, and criminal damage at Cambridge Crown Court. He received a five-year jail sentence along with an indefinite restraining order against the victim.
Detective Constable Billie Baker, who investigated the case, described Linsey's actions as one of the most complex instances of coercive control witnessed, stating that the victim's bravery was commendable.
For support on domestic abuse and coercive control, advice can be accessed through dedicated local police force web pages.