Harrogate man jailed for years of controlling behaviour towards his partner
57-year-old sentenced to 16 months after admitting coercive control
A Harrogate man has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour towards his partner over several years.
Grant Morgan Cowlishaw, 57, of East Parade in Harrogate, appeared at York Crown Court on 7th November 2025. He had previously changed his plea from not guilty to guilty at York Crown Court on 22nd September.
The court heard that Cowlishaw's behaviour towards the victim, whom he was in a relationship with for several years, included physical violence on at least three occasions, verbal abuse, and monitoring her phone use. This resulted in a serious impact on the victim's wellbeing.
The abuse, reported in February 2025, persisted even after the relationship ended the same month. Cowlishaw breached his bail conditions multiple times by sending messages to the victim and showing up at one of her relative’s homes in March 2025, causing further distress.
Detective Constable David Whitehouse from the Harrogate Safeguarding Investigation Team led the investigation and ensured the victim received professional care, including a referral to Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS).
In her personal statement, the victim said: "Every day I feel such a deep and overwhelming sadness and confusion trying to understand how someone could tell me they love me yet treat me in a way that was so incredibly cruel.
"Telling my family that I had been suffering in my relationship was so incredibly difficult. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed that I had let him treat me the way he did. I had distanced myself from my family to keep the truth hidden from them.”
DC Whitehouse said: "The victim has shown great courage in reporting this abuse to police, putting an end to this abusive relationship which she had endured over an extended period.
"I hope Cowlishaw's sentence goes some way in helping the victim with closure and moving forward with her life with the help of her family and support network."