Domestic abuse perpetrator from Swindon jailed
Claudio Stroud has been sentenced for the offences against his ex-partner
A domestic abuse perpetrator has been jailed for a number of offences against his ex-partner.
Claudio Stroud, 23, of Tennyson Street, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today (Friday 24 January) after being found guilty of multiple offences.
He was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, threats to kill, two counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of threatening with an offensive weapon in a private place, and two counts of assault of an emergency worker.
He has been sentenced to four-years-and-six-months’ imprisonment for the offences against his ex-partner, plus a further three months for the assaults on the emergency workers. He will also be on extended licence for two years, and subject to a 10-year restraining order.
The court heard that between March 20 and 23, 2023, Stroud seriously assaulted the victim, a woman in her 20s, and attempted to strangle her. He also twice held a knife against her neck, threatening to kill her.
This was reported to police, and on March 23, Stroud was arrested. During his arrest, Stroud assaulted two officers while resisting, fracturing a finger of one and spraining the wrist of another.
Stroud, who was on licence from prison due to similar offences against a different victim, was recalled to prison.
Following key statements from the victim and family members, as well as photos of injuries and abusive messages and recordings, Stroud was charged with multiple offences against the victim, as well as the assaults on the officers.
He pleaded not guilty, however was found guilty following a trial by jury.
Speaking after the sentence, complex crime investigator Catherine Baird said: “I want to highlight and emphasise the bravery of the victim in this case – without her courage and her victim impact statement, we wouldn’t have been able to secure this conviction and sentence.
“I hope this conviction will encourage more women and girls to come forward. Sometimes people think that if an assault or coercive behaviour has happened behind closed doors then there’s no point reporting it as it’s one voice against another, with no witnesses.
“This case shows, however, that we will always investigate, victims will be heard, and perpetrators put before the courts.
“Stroud’s behaviour has had a significant impact on the victim, and I hope this sentence and restraining order will give her some form of closure and allow her to start moving on with her life.”
Wiltshire Police are reminding the public that if you are suffering from physical, sexual, psychological or financial abuse, or are being threatened, intimidated or stalked by a current or previous partner or close family member, it’s likely you’re a victim of domestic abuse.
They emphasise that you are not to blame for what's happening, and you are not alone.
You can report it to police, or if you’re not ready to speak to police, they say you can contact support organisations such as Paragon or Fearfree.