STORY
A Stoke-on-Trent man who subjected his former partner to a sustained campaign of violence and coercive control has had his originally suspended sentence overturned by the Court of Appeal and replaced with a two-year and four-month prison term.
Philip Humphreys, 39, was first sentenced on 7 March 2025 to 18 months’ imprisonment suspended for two years, alongside 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation days, after pleading guilty to one count of controlling and coercive behaviour. Following a referral by the Attorney General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme, the Court of Appeal ruled that the initial term failed to reflect the seriousness of his offences and imposed an immediate custodial sentence of 28 months on 23 May 2025.
The court heard that Humphreys’ abuse began soon after he moved in with his partner in April 2022. He routinely accused her of infidelity, monitored her whereabouts, dictated her clothing choices and stole approximately £6,000 from her—most of which was spent on drugs. His violence escalated during a holiday when he strangled the victim and dragged her backwards in a hotel corridor, only stopping when interrupted by a receptionist. Even after their relationship ended, Humphreys continued to terrorise her by driving past her home in a sustained pattern of intimidation.
Lord Hermer KC, speaking on behalf of the Attorney General, condemned Humphreys’ “sustained physical and psychological campaign of abuse” and praised the victim’s bravery in coming forward. “Philip Humphreys is a violent man,” he said. “I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence, and hope it serves as a strong warning to domestic abusers that we will use the full force of the law to keep violent offenders off our streets.”