A man who has lived in Crewe for most of his life has been jailed after subjecting his former partner to more than eight years of controlling, coercive and abusive behaviour.

Craig Woods, 43, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Chester Crown Court on 2 June, after admitting a charge of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The offending took place between July 2016 and August 2024 and included repeated assaults, threats of violence, financial abuse and damage to property.

Cheshire Police said Woods persistently behaved aggressively towards his former partner and used financial control as part of a sustained pattern of abuse.

Woods denied being an abuser throughout the police investigation and court proceedings but pleaded guilty ahead of his trial in April 2026.

Craig Woods' offending took place between July 2016 and August 2024, including repeated assaults, threats of violence, financial abuse and damage to property (Photo: Nub News).

The charge related to both physical abuse and financial control.

Following his guilty plea, Woods was granted conditional bail while a pre-sentence report was prepared.

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Judge Patrick Thompson ordered Woods not to contact his former partner or go near her home.

At sentencing, the court also imposed a restraining order preventing Woods from contacting the victim by any means and banning him from approaching her home or their children's school until further order.

Woods, who lived in Crewe until moving to Deans Row, Holmes Chapel, around six months ago, was also ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge.

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