A man has been jailed for 19 years after being found guilty of four counts of rape and two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Michael Ball aged 31 of Beechwood Crescent, Leigh was found guilty of four counts of rape and two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, relating to two victims. A restraining order is also in place against Ball and he will permanently remain on the sex offender’s register.
In a trial at Bolton Crown Court in September, the jury heard how between October 2020 and January 2021, Ball controlled every aspect of his partner’s – Jasmin – life. He dictated what clothes she could wear, calling her a ‘slag’ if he did not think her clothing was appropriate, and isolated her from family and friends who had warned her about his behaviour.
His controlling ways did not end there. Ball would monitor her movements constantly, prevented her from attending social gatherings, and even forced her to quit her job as a carer. He also took out loans in her name and accessed her bank accounts without consent.
Jasmin was also told to remain upstairs when parties were hosted at their address, with Ball telling guests that she wasn’t in so they couldn’t talk to her. She was repeatedly assaulted during the relationship, often leaving her with bruises.
The court also heard that the 31-year-old strangled her on several occasions, including one harrowing incident where he wrapped a dressing gown cord around her neck and attempted to choke her.
In January 2021 the abuse escalated to sexual violence. Jasmin recalls how she told Ball no when he came upstairs asking her for sex whilst being in an intoxicated manner. However, two hours after that interaction, she awoke to him raping her.
She was too terrified to resist, knowing he had previously threatened to kill her if she ever reported him to police.
Officers arrested ball on 19 January 2021 following this the above incident and denied all allegations while in custody.
Ball was later charged with five counts rape, one count of control and coercion, and a Section 47 assault. He was also found guilty at court of two counts of rape relating to a victim from the Lancashire area.
Jasmin, who has bravely waived her right to anonymity, read out her victim impact statement at court, she said: “I wish I could go back in time and tell myself that it will all be okay and you will get through this. Since 2021 my life has completely changed, and it has taken me such a long time to feel like myself.
“On occasion when I do unfortunately think back to the relationship and the things which Michael did to me like the assaults, putting me in the suitcase and abuse I still remember the feeling of him touching me, how it felt on my body when he was doing it to me.
“It did take me some time, but I did manage to get in a relationship and I am now the proud mum to a lovely son who is my whole world and I know that through my love and care he will not treat any women or person the way Michael treated me.
“I know that I am entitled to life-long anonymity, but I feel now that I am free from everything and I am happy to waive this right in order to stand up for what is right and not be silenced or restricted from saying what happened to me.
“I have also now started a domestic abuse survivors group session and even though it is early I feel this will help me with processing anything left which I need to.”
