Avictim of coercive control has shown ‘exceptional bravery’ for reporting the abuse that has led to her former partner being brought before the courts.
Daisy Martin reported Callum Coady’s controlling behaviour following more than a year of sustained abuse that included tracking her location and emotional manipulation, as well as being assaulted at Manchester Airport in August 2023.
Coady,27 of Larwood Avenue, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, pleaded guilty to coercive control and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, at Manchester Magistrates’ Court today
He has also been given a five-year restraining order, has to work with probation services regarding relationships in the future and he has to pay £200 victim compensation.
Throughout the relationship, Coady became increasingly aggressive and controlling, forcing Daisy to delete her social media, monitoring her online activity, dictated what she wore, and restricting contact with friends and family.
Daisy was supported by specialist officers from the Domestic Abuse Team in Stockport during the investigation, when more than 35,000 messages were analysed.
In her victim impact statement, Daisy said: “After everything I went through, it has had a profound impact on my life. I struggle daily to understand people and often overthink even small interactions.
“I question whether people will treat me with respect after trusting someone who changed completely once, I let him close and controlled how I behaved, thought and lived.
“What happened has made me extremely wary of relationships and friendships. He made me forget what love should feel like, and I struggle to believe anyone could genuinely want something healthy with me.
“I feel anxious going places in case I see him, and I still look over my shoulder. My sense of safety is gone.
“He made me feel unlovable and affected my self-confidence. I overthink everything and notice changes in myself – getting angry more easily and snapping. I’m trying to rebuild myself.
“I blamed myself for not seeing the manipulation sooner.
“Now small things trigger doubt, and if someone seems distant, I assume I’ve done something wrong.
“I used to be open and secure, but that part of me feels damaged. This experience has deeply affected my trust and identity.”
On 19 August 2023 at Manchester Airport, Coady became aggressive after seeing a message on Facebook.
CCTV captured him shouting at Daisy and throwing a glass of prosecco in her face before threatening to kill her. Airport staff intervened, and he was arrested onboard the aircraft.
During officers’ interview with Daisy, she disclosed the ongoing abuse and showed them messages from Coady.
Officers explained that what she had described amounted to coercive and controlling behaviour, something Daisy said she had not fully recognised.
She said she felt trapped and unable to see a way out. Coady was later arrested in interview for these offences.
Specialist detectives from the domestic abuse team carried out an extensive investigation, analysing over 35,000 messages between the pair, which revealed a clear and persistent pattern of control, threats and manipulation.
Their detailed examination of digital evidence was crucial in exposing the full extent of the abuse Daisy experienced.
Detective Constable Elizabeth Andrews, formally part of the Domestic Abuse Team in Stockport that led the investigation, said: “Daisy has shown exceptional bravery throughout this case.
“Her strength in coming forward, her honesty, and her continued co-operation with our officers has been vital in securing today’s sentence.
“The thousands of messages recovered from Coady’s phone provided a clear and disturbing insight into the level of control, manipulation and abuse she was subjected to, and they formed a crucial part of the evidence against him.
“It is important for people to know that coercive and controlling behaviour is a crime, and it will never be tolerated.
“If you are experiencing anything like this, please report it. You will be listened to, you will be believed, and we will do everything we can to protect you and bring offenders to justice.”
Like in this case, not all violence against women and girls starts as physical abuse, and instances may go unreported as people in controlling relationships often do not recognise the harm they face.
To help in preventing this behaviour, we are supporting the Mayor of Greater Manchester’s ‘#IsThisOk?’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness around the signs of coercive and controlling behaviour.
More information on the ‘#IsThisOkay: This is not a Game, Boy’ campaign can be found here: #IsThisOk?
Daisy added: “Elizabeth’s support has been incredible; I wouldn’t have had the strength to be this brave without her by my side.
“It’s because of her that I now feel empowered to stand up for myself after everything that happened.
“She helped me understand that none of this was my fault, even when I believed it was. She never judged me and made me feel that others wouldn’t either. She is the reason I want to speak out.
“Elizabeth is a huge asset to GMP. I feel I owe her so much – she helped me rebuild my confidence.
“The police have been amazing, and I thank them with my whole heart.”
