Man admits five-year campaign of controlling behaviour

A Pontypool man has admitted a string of controlling and abusive behaviours towards his partner spanning more than five years.

Luke Groves, 32, pleaded guilty at Cardiff Crown Court to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship.

The court was told Groves “assaulted her, threatened her, damaged her property, abused family pets, prevented her from going to work, isolated her from friends and belittled her” throughout the relationship.

His campaign of control ran from New Year’s Day 2019 through to June 30, 2024.

While Groves, from Abersychan, admitted the controlling behaviour charge, separate allegations against him of intentional strangulation will remain on file. He was also found not guilty of harassment after prosecutors offered no evidence on that count.

The 32-year-old has been remanded in custody ahead of his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for February 5 at Cardiff Crown Court.