Hemel Hempstead man avoids jail for coercive control offences after creating fake dating profiles to harass and 'gaslight' partner

This included creating fake dating profiles to later confront his partner who was receiving treatment for cancer at the time, Huntingdon Crown Court heard.

On Thursday, Charlie Hill, 37, of no fixed abode from the Hemel Hempstead area, was given a suspended two-year sentence at Huntingdon Crown Court on Thursday.

He was also given a 10-year restraining order preventing him from going near his ex-partner. Hill admitted to coercive and controlling behaviour he committed between 31 March 2023 and 10 June 2024. Hill spent seven months of the sentence in prison awaiting sentencing for the offences.

Huntingdon Crown Court heard how Hill’s jealousy escalated into dangerous and humiliating behaviour. He accused her of being unfaithful and created fake dating accounts in her name, including on swingers’ websites.

Hertfordshire Constabulary has described the victim as a ‘brave woman’ and praised her for helping secure the conviction. Detective Constable Connor McCreadie from the Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit said: “She found the courage to report her abuse in February

2025. She has been patient and supportive of our investigation, despite the crippling impact this was having on her and her young daughter. She is a hard-working, single mum who also had to endure cancer treatment while this was going on. When I called to tell her the news that the Crown Prosecution Service had agreed charges, she broke down in tears of joy expressing that she finally feels free. Ultimately, she refused to let the defendant win and take her liberty away from her.”

The victim, who has lifelong anonymity, released a statement via the police force. She said: “I’m doing this for the safeguarding of any future women that could be on the receiving end of his type of behaviour, and to show my daughter that the police are here to protect us and that this behaviour is not acceptable from a man.”

DC McCreadie added: “Posing as his partner, he approached men online saying that she was ‘well up for it’. A man approached her and gave her his number whilst she was on holiday; another man approached her at the gym making unwanted sexual comments before inappropriately touching her.”

During sentencing Hill was also ordered to wear an electronic monitoring tag with an exclusion zone for two years and is subject of a Criminal Behaviour Order for two years. As per the CBO, he must provide any communication devices to police or probation immediately on request, is

prohibited from purporting to be anybody but himself online and prohibited from deleting any data. He is also required to complete 45 days of rehabilitation work, as well as pay a victim surcharge.

Judge Wigin said during sentencing: “You are a man who has a problem with harassing women… It stands out from coercive and controlling

behaviour cases I have previously dealt with.” She added that this was “One of the most sophisticated procedures of gaslighting I have known”.

DC McCreadie added: “Coercive and controlling behaviour can affect every part of your life and can lead to even more serious offences. We are here to help.”