First woman convicted under new abuse laws
A woman who controlled her partner’s life, injured him with a knife and scalded him with boiling water, has become the first woman to be convicted under new domestic abuse regulations.
Jordan Worth, 22, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to the offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship – introduced in 2015 – as well as wounding with intent and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The Hertfordshire University graduate is believed to be the first woman to be convicted under the new domestic abuse laws.
Worth and her ex-boyfriend met at college in 2012 when they were both 16, Luton Crown Court was told.
From an early stage in the relationship, she began to exercise control over him by deciding what he was allowed to wear.
Soon after moving into their home in Bedfordshire, Worth became violent towards her victim, who suffered from hydrocephalus – a build-up of fluid inside the skull – by using blunt objects to strike him as well as wounding him with a knife and not allowing him to go to hospital for treatment.
He was also banned from her bed for nine months, the court heard.
Neighbours said they often heard the couple arguing, and the sounds of items being thrown in the house.
On one occasion, a neighbour saw Worth standing by a window “armed” with a screwdriver or hammer.
Ambulance staff noted injuries to the victim’s hand and burns to his arms and legs that were being self-treated with cling film.
Judge Nic Madge said that as well as the violence Worth carried out on her partner, she also refused him adequate food and discouraged him from contacting friends and family.
Assistant Chief Constable Jackie Sebire, of Bedfordshire Police, tweeted: “So proud of the determination of our specialist team @bedspolice in securing this conviction #emerald.”