Man Jailed for Bullying Ex-Partner and Sex Offences

Christopher Barfe, 33, has been sentenced to 56 months in prison for a string of offences, including two years for violent and controlling behaviour towards his former partner and a further 32 months for sexual offences against an underage girl.

Barfe, of South Street, Sherburn Village, admitted some of the assaults against his ex-partner but denied and was convicted of the sexual offences following a trial earlier this year.

The court heard how Barfe's controlling behaviour towards his former partner was "persistent, over a prolonged period, with the use of multiple methods and a fear of violence on many occasions, causing significant psychological harm," according to prosecutor Jane Waugh.

Barfe's assaults included hair pulling, kicking, and strangulation, leading the victim to move house to escape the trauma and experience flashbacks.

He would regularly check her phone, accusing her of infidelity, and even created a fake alias account to monitor her online activity. When a male associate commented on a picture of her on Instagram, Barfe flew into a rage, calling her "poison" and "the worst woman I ever met." He choked her until she fell to the floor crying in pain, and on another occasion threatened her with a gun he owned.

The offences involving the underage girl involved inappropriate kissing and performing a sex act in her presence.

Barfe initially denied all charges but later admitted three counts of assault against his ex-partner and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour in a relationship. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child after a three-day trial.

Brian Russell, defending Barfe, acknowledged his client's previous lack of convictions and stated that he has since acknowledged the offences committed against the girl, "unlike most defendants who wallow in denial." He also attributed much of Barfe's offending to his "unhealthy relationship with alcohol."

Judge Ray Singh sentenced Barfe, describing him as "a bully," and imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order forbidding unsupervised contact with underage girls for ten years. He also ordered Barfe to register as a sex offender for ten years and prohibited him from contacting or approaching either victim for the same period.