Lancashire man branded 'danger to women' after years of coercive and controlling abuse
A man described by police as a “danger to women” has been jailed following an investigation into his sustained campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour against two women.
Karl Atkinson, 34, is now off the streets after being convicted of abusing both victims physically, emotionally and financially over a number of years.
Atkinson first came to the attention of police in June 2022 when the first victim bravely reported his behaviour.
The pair had begun a relationship in July 2019, with Atkinson initially presenting himself as caring and attentive.
However, within months, his behaviour changed.
Unemployed at the time, Atkinson demanded money from the victim to fund his cocaine use and heavy drinking, threatening to “go out and rob somewhere” if she refused.
The victim was left unable to pay her rent for eight months, while also settling debts owed by Atkinson after being approached by people who knew where she lived.
After moving into the victim’s home in Accrington, Atkinson began isolating her from friends and family.
He monitored her movements, demanded access to her phone, accused her of having affairs and insisted phone calls be placed on loudspeaker so he could listen in.
He also used her social media accounts to send messages pretending to be her, filmed her around the house and showed the footage to others, and controlled her behaviour around male visitors, insisting she look at the floor rather than make eye contact.
The abuse escalated into physical violence.
On one occasion, Atkinson struck the victim in the face while she was holding her child.
He spat at her and strangled her multiple times, leaving her fearing for her life.
Throughout this period, Atkinson falsely claimed to others that the victim was abusing him.
After the relationship ended in early 2021, Atkinson entered a relationship with a second woman.
Police said the pattern of abuse quickly repeated, with Atkinson accusing her of infidelity, isolating her from loved ones and assaulting her on a daily basis from March 2021.
He also took hundreds of pounds from her, leaving her unable to pay her bills.
Following a trial at Preston Crown Court in September, Atkinson was found guilty of two counts of engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.
He was also convicted of affray and possession of a bladed article, stemming from an unrelated incident in Darwen in January 2024.
Atkinson, of no fixed address, returned to Preston Crown Court last Wednesday where he was jailed for six and a half years.
Indefinite restraining orders were also imposed to protect his victims.
In an impact statement, the second victim told the court how she had lived in fear, describing herself as “naïve and afraid” and believing Atkinson preyed on her vulnerability as a single mother.
She said his abuse left her emotionally broken and reliant on friends and family to rebuild her confidence.
The first victim said the experience had been life-changing, adding: “This process has shown me that I deserve better and that it is better to be alone than in a relationship with an abuser.”
Detective Constable Claire Scott, from East CID, said: “Karl Atkinson is a cowardly bully who targeted vulnerable women in order to physically, emotionally and financially abuse them.
“He is someone who presents a clear danger to women due to his appalling and warped attitudes towards them and has shown no remorse, blaming the victims throughout.
“I welcome this sentence and the protection it gives the public.”
Anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or concerned about someone else, is urged to contact police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
Further support is available at noexcuseforabuse.co.uk.