Businessman who failed to grant his wife a Jewish divorce convicted of coercive or controlling behaviour in 'landmark case'

A man has pleaded guilty to engaging in coercive or controlling behaviour in what is being described as a 'landmark case' after failing to grant his wife a Jewish religious divorce.

Alan Moher, 57, was warned by a judge he could face an immediate prison sentence.

Moher, from Salford, and Caroline Moher, who have three children together, separated in 2016 and were later divorced in the Family Court.

But a court heard Moher, who owns a property company, did not give her a 'Get' - a document that formally recognises the end of a marriage in the orthodox Jewish faith, meaning she was unable to remarry, have more children or enter into a relationship with another man.

Ms Moher brought a private prosecution for a charge of controlling or coercive behaviour between January 2016 and January last year.

It was described as 'a landmark case' by her lawyers.

Moher was due to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, but changed his plea to guilty.

The charge states he 'used or threatened her with violence causing her to fear for her own personal safety on two or more occasions; exercised unreasonable financial control, including by obstructing any financial settlements ordered by the Family Court; agreed to a civil divorce but prevented her from obtaining a Get (Jewish religious divorce) enabling her to remarry in accordance with Jewish law and practice'.

Moher had first pleaded not guilty.

His barrister, Jeffrey Israel, said his basis of plea did not 'reflect the particulars' on the indictment.

In a document agreed between the prosecution and defence, Moher admitted his behaviour 'was controlling in a number of ways which made it more difficult for her to regain control of her life' before he was notified of the prosecution