Woman controlled partners' every move - and wouldn't even let him go to the toilet

A woman who was studying to be a nurse "dehumanised" her partner with months of "cruel" behaviour.

Sarah Rigby, 41, has walked free from court despite subjecting the man to controlling and coercive behaviour including not letting him go to the toilet in the house they shared. He had to walk to a nearby pub, library or supermarket, Chester Crown Court heard.

She denied the charges initially but pleaded guilty just two days into her trial. She has been sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years.

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Rigby must complete 35 days of a rehabilitation activity and under restraining orders is banned from contacting the victim or his parents for five years.

The court was told that the couple’s relationship first began in July 2021 and initially everything was good between the pair. However, Rigby quickly became very controlling and within months she had forced her partner to move into her home in Winsford.

As soon as he arrived at the address, he was made to store all his belongings in the garage and she ordered him pay £700 a month rent, despite the fact Rigby’s father already owned the house.

Her behaviour escalated, and she soon took full control of all his finances, cut him off from his family and friends, and stopped him from being in the house alone – despite the fact he needed to work from home.

As the relationship continued, Rigby also stopped the victim from showering or defecating at the house, meaning that he had to go to a local gym to wash.

The court heard the abuse also included: Assaulting him and scratching his face; making him sleep on the floor with all the windows open; controlling what he was and wasn’t