A man from Basildon has been jailed for 18 months for domestic related offences including controlling his former partner’s access to her phone, clothes, family and privacy.

Russell Tibbs, 29, of Charleston Avenue, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, June 4, where he received nine month sentences for theft, affray and coercive behaviour and three month sentences for criminal damage and assault, all to run concurrently.

He also received nine months, to run consecutively, for witness intimidation and has been given a restraining order meaning he cannot contact the victims directly and indirectly. Tibbs admitted all the offences on the day.

At around 10.30am on Monday, May 1, we received reports that a man had been assaulted, had his car windows smashed and his watch stolen during an incident in Basildon. The victim was a friend of Tibbs’ former partner and he handed himself in later that day.

We then started an investigation into Tibbs’ controlling and coercive behaviour towards his former partner.

The victim, who had been with him for a year, told specialist officers that she was not allowed to have the bathroom door locked, could not take a call in private and was told she could not contact family or buy her own clothes.

Tibbs would regularly go through her phone, made many false accusations that the victim was having affairs and would often visit her place of work. Even after we charged Tibbs, he still tried to intimidate her.

Investigating officer DC Michelle Rawson said: “Tibbs believed that he could control the way a vulnerable woman lived her life and restricted her contact with loved ones, access to clothes and privacy.

“In a jealous rage, he assaulted her friend and then smashed his car and stole his belongings. I would like to thank both victims for their bravery throughout this case.

"I would also like to praise Tibbs’ former partner who has shown an enormous amount of courage by speaking out and supporting our investigation.

“We would urge anyone suffering the same ordeal to contact our specialist teams on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“We will listen to you and investigate your report robustly and sensitively. If a loved one or friend is experiencing this behaviour, we would also urge you to contact us.

“You can find more advice on domestic abuse by visiting https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/domestic-abuse/.”