Man jailed for threatening to kill ex-partner in Crawley
Craig Wallace subjected her to two years of constant abuse
A man is starting an eight-and-a-half year jail term for threatening to kill his one-time partner in Crawley.
29-year-old Craig Wallace subjected his victim to a two-year campaign of harrassment and distress, according to Sussex Police.
Wallace, now of Windham Road in Bournemouth, Dorset, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on April 9th after pleading guilty to the threats to kill.
After first meeting his victim in 2018, the pair first enjoyed a happy relationship.
But the court heard that Wallace soon became possessive and jealous, dictating her every move, distrusting everything she did and even assaulting her on several occasions.
Detective Constable Nigel Albuery, of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said:
"After two years he left her, saying he had met someone else and moved to Bournemouth. However over last summer, after he asked to get back together and she said no, the situation worsened again and even more seriously.
"There followed a series of incidents and contacts culminating in his arrest in July 2020, after he had continually made phone and text threats to the victim and her family, including threatening to burn their house down.
"Finally and with their support we were able to get the evidence to enable us to arrest him and so that the CPS would authorise his prosecution.
"This was a really distressing experience for the victim and her family. We are glad that justice has now been done and that they have a measure of protection and reassurance."
Along with his jail sentence, Wallace was also given a court Restraining Order to last until further notice, prohibiting him from any contact with the victim or her family.
Charges of stalking which he denied were allowed to lie on the court file, not proceeded with.
Nigel Albuery added:
"We will always give support to victims. Securing the best evidence to enable us to get such cases to court can be very challenging but we are committed to doing so.
"Anyone undergoing such a distressing experience can contact us at any time, to talk in confidence, and to secure access to further specialist advice and support."