Hemel Hempstead man given 17 year jail term for controlling and coercive behaviour and serious sexual assaults

A ‘dangerous’ man who controlled and manipulated a former partner was sentenced to 17 years imprisonment at Huntingdon Crown Court on Monday 27 January.

Jason Higgins, aged 38, from Hemel Hempstead, was previously found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, two counts of rape and one count of assault (ABH) following an 11-day trial in October last year.

Her Honour Judge Bal Dhaliwal-Thomas described Higgins as ‘dangerous’ as she handed down the extended sentence, plus a 20-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting his victim. His name will also appear on the sexual offenders register for life.

The court heard that the defendant, who was in a brief relationship with the victim last year, told her what to wear and how to interact with people, and demanded that she always be available on her phone when he called.

During an incident on 6 April last year, Higgins threw her to the floor and kicked her while she was asleep, leaving her with bruising. When the victim tried to break up with him the following week, Higgins bombarded her with dozens of phone calls, video calls, voice notes and texts telling her to turn her location back on, while threatening to harm both her and himself.

He was also convicted of two counts of rape committed during the course of the abusive relationship.

HHJ Dhaliwal-Thomas said to Higgins: “You manipulated her, told her what to wear told her what she could and could not do, and what clothes she could wear. You monitored her, you restricted her movements; you even set up a camera in the bedroom so you could watch her through the night.”

Detective Constable Sue Holmes from the Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU) said: “The victim is relieved to know Higgins is safely behind bars and no longer able to be in every corner of her life.  However, the impact of his actions will stay with her for the rest of her life. Higgins deliberately found a woman to control and his behaviour quickly escalated to violence to not only manipulate the victim, but to degrade and humiliate her.”

DC Holmes added: “We have a dedicated safeguarding unit and we will support anyone experiencing coercive controlling behaviour or sexual assaults.  I would like to issue a personal plea to anyone who has lived, or is living through, experiences like this to make contact with us. Taking that first step can seem almost impossible, but we are here to help. You will be listened to, and we will protect you. This remains a priority for the constabulary.”

If you have concerns, you can find out about Clare’s Law – also known as the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) – which is a police policy giving people the right to know if their current or ex-partner has any previous history of violence or abuse.  The scheme is named after Clare Wood who was murdered by her boyfriend in 2009. Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application | Hertfordshire Constabulary

You can call the Herts Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08 088 088 088 or email.

You can also report information online, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form.

To view the images relating to this press release, please visit the Dacorum Facebook page.