ETHAN REEVE – ILKESTON

Controlling Abuser Convicted After Campaign of Coercion and Threats

Court hears of campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour involving threats, hacked social media accounts and isolating a partner from her friends.

Ethan Reeve, of Kirk Hallam, Ilkeston, has been convicted after Nottingham Crown Court heard he subjected a former partner to a sustained campaign of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The court heard that Reeve and the victim were in an on-and-off relationship for around two years. After the initial honeymoon period, the relationship became increasingly abusive, with prosecutors describing a pattern of behaviour designed to control and intimidate the victim.

During sentencing, the court heard Reeve repeatedly messaged the victim, hacked into her social media accounts and took screenshots of her private messages. He also dictated what she could and could not wear, restricted her contact with friends and attempted to isolate her from those closest to her.

The court was also told that Reeve sent abusive and threatening messages throughout the relationship and, on one occasion, drove at the victim in an aggressive manner.

Although the relationship ended in September 2023, the court heard the behaviour resumed in 2024, with Reeve continuing to contact the victim and refusing to leave her alone.

Sentencing Reeve, Recorder Richard Davis said:

“You sent her repeated messages, you hacked her social media accounts and screenshot messages.

“On one occasion you drove at her in an aggressive manner.

“You told her what she could and could not wear and limited her contact with her friends.

“There were various conversations where you were abusive and threatening.”

The judge also revealed he had considered a victim impact statement from one of Reeve’s former girlfriends, telling him:

“I have also heard from your former girlfriend in her victim impact statement and one of the things she said is that you need to understand the pain you caused her.

“That really needs to be the main lesson you learn today.”

Recorder Davis went on to tell Reeve:

“You need to use this case to grow up and treat people both in and out of relationships better because I consider you caused serious alarm and distress.

“Grow up and don’t trouble the courts. I don’t want to see you again.”

Reeve pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour.

He was sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, together with a two-month curfew, requiring him to remain at his home between 9pm and 5am, and was made subject to a 10-year restraining order, meaning any breach or attempt to contact the victim could result in immediate imprisonment.

The court heard the victim suffered significant emotional harm as a result of Reeve’s actions, with the judge describing his behaviour as having caused serious alarm and distress.

Controlling and coercive behaviour is a criminal offence that can include intimidation, isolation from friends and family, monitoring communications, repeated unwanted contact, threats and emotional manipulation. Victims often describe it as a gradual pattern of behaviour that escalates over time rather than a single incident.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or controlling and coercive behaviour, support is available through the police and specialist domestic abuse services.