Manipulative man had ‘a hold’ over wife’s life for 10 years

A violent and abusive man subjected his wife to a decade of controlling and manipulative behaviour, a court has heard. Simon Macpherson’s abuse of his partner ranged from multiple physical assaults to teasing her about her mental health and dragging her out living room of the family home by her hair because he wanted to watch television on his own.

Swansea Crown Court ^[1] heard that because of Macpherson’s volatile nature, living with him was like “constantly living on eggshells” and even after he was arrested he continued to torment his wife by going to the area where she lived in breach of his bail conditions. On one occasion the 54-year-old was found hiding under the trampoline in the garden of the family home.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, said Macpherson and the complainant met through a church in Cheltenham in 2010 and subsequently married. The court heard Macpherson – who also goes by the name Simon Matthews – initially appeared “kind and very thoughtful” but then began to be abusive towards his wife, with the abuse taking “many forms”.

The court heard details of assaults on the complainant including one which happened in the family car on the M5 motorway when Macpherson pulled onto the hard shoulder and began grabbing his wife by the hair. Scared the defendant would drive off and leave at the roadside at night, the woman climbed into the back of the vehicle to get away from him but he continued to pull her hair with such force she “thought her neck wound snap”. On another instance Macpherson began teasing his wife about her mental health before going to the kitchen and opening the cutlery drawer – fearing he was arming himself with a knife the woman fled through the living room window and sought help from friends.

Miss Powell said the defendant subsequently told a church house meeting that he had struck his wife, and said the complaint realised he had somehow “emerged as the good guy” for being brave enough to speak about what he had done. She said the victim would later recall that she wanted to tell the group the assault was not the only occasion he had hit her but she didn’t. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here ^[4]

The court heard the abusive and violent behaviour continued after the family moved to Swansea ^[5], and on one occasion Macpherson had wrestled his wife to the ground during the school ^[6] run and taken her phone off her and refused to return it. On another occasion when the family had set off for a holiday in west Wales they had only got as far as the end of the street before the defendant began arguing about money and turned around and ordered everyone out of the car before driving off. The court was also told of another incident when the defendant dragged his wife out of living room by her hair because he wanted to watch a particular TV programme on his own.

The prosecutor said Macpherson was arrested in October 2021 and in interview said there were “problems” in the marriage but denied being controlling and suggested his wife was the controlling one in the relationship. The court heard the defendant was released on bail during the police investigation and subsequent court proceedings but breached his bail by going to the family home, and on one occasion was found hiding under a trampoline in the garden.

How to access free domestic abuse helplines in Wales

If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email [email protected] or go to gov.wales/live-fear-free ^[7]^[8]

Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women’s Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs.

The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999.

In an impact statement read to the court the woman said that due to the defendant’s volatile behaviour, living with him had been “like constantly living on egg shells”. She said the defendant he seemed “very charming and caring” when she first met him but she now realises that was just a deceit and a way of him getting what he wants from a situation. The woman said her relationship with Macpherson had left her with “emotional wounds” which became greater with time as she came to understand the full extent of his manipulation and control, and of the lies he had told family and friends. She also said she thought the defendant “thrived” on making her feel helpless and feeling like she needed him. She added that she had lived with Macpherson having a “hold over me” for a decade but was now rebuilding her life for the sake of her family.

Simon Macpherson, now of Grafton, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, had pleaded guilty to engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour and to assault by beating on the day he was due to stand trial. He has two previous convictions for two offences committed in Wiltshire – indecent assault of a female in 1992, and driving with excess alcohol in 2006.

Kevin Seal, for Macpherson, said though the defendant’s pleas had come “late in the day” they had prevented his wife and other family members having to give evidence at trial. He said his client “did not have the best childhood” and had experienced abandonment, issues which he said resurrected and manifested themselves in other ways in adulthood. The barrister said such issues, while not an excuse, may provide some understanding for what happened. He described the defendant’s mental health as “fragile”.

With a one-quarter discount for his guilty pleas Macpherson was sentenced to 25 months in prison. He will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. The defendant was also made the subject of a five year restraining order which incudes a clause banning him from entering the West Cross area of Swansea.

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References

^{^} Swansea Crown Court (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} ‘Scary man’ sexually assaulted young girls in shops (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} Pensioner sexually abused vulnerable girl before ‘passing her as a prize’ to his son to continue the abuse (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} Swansea (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} school (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} [email protected] (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^{^} gov.wales/live-fear-free (gov.wales)