These were the words of Her Honour Judge Harden-Frost as she sentenced a man who subjected a woman to years of sustained psychological abuse.

60 year old Janek Pasnicki a Polish national living in Tadworth, inflicted a campaign of coercive and controlling behaviour over more than five years, restricting and monitoring multiple aspects of the survivor’s life.

He isolated her from friends and family, controlled what she wore and how she used social media, monitored her movements, and recorded her conversations. He also installed a video camera inside her home to surveil her.

In a statement read to the court, the survivor described how she had become “unreachable” to those around her. Pasnicki manipulated her relationships, convincing her that others could not be trusted and that she had “poor judgement about people.”

Police say his behaviour was calculated and persistent. He placed paper against doors to check whether she had left the address and exerted control over her finances, forcing her to give up work and become financially dependent on him. This left her struggling and reliant on food banks.

Police say Pasnicki’s need for control extended to every interaction. He subjected the survivor to threats, insults and emotional manipulation if she spoke to other men. He would threaten to harm himself, force her to sign “contracts” following arguments and would deliberately humiliate her. He then dismissed his actions as a result of her mental health, further distorting her sense of reality.

He referred to the survivor as a “dolly”, someone who must act as he wished.

After years of abuse, the survivor reported the offences to police. Pasnicki was arrested in 2023 and gave two no comment interviews.

At Guildford Crown Court on Monday, following a 10 day trial in May 2026, Pasnicki was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment, of which at least half will be served in custody. A restraining order was also imposed for 10 years.

In her personal statement, the survivor said: “I was constantly watched and never trusted, no matter what I said or how much I explained myself. It has taken a long time to adjust to no longer being scrutinised.

“Today, as a direct result of the control and surveillance I experienced, I still find myself over-explaining simple situations and giving far more detail than would normally be expected.

“Even though there were times I wanted to run, I was so consumed by the fear of how he might react if I tried to leave that it was enough to keep me there. For a long time, even after I reached the conclusion that I needed to leave, I felt I had nowhere to run to.

“Everything I have described in this statement has stayed with me to this day. I am still rebuilding the confidence, independence and sense of normality that was eroded during those five years.”

Detective Constable Natalie Stone, who led the investigation, said: “Coercive and controlling behaviour is designed to strip a person of their independence, confidence and sense of safety. The strength and bravery shown by the survivor in breaking that cycle and supporting this investigation was nothing short of remarkable.
“This case demonstrates the devastating and long-lasting impact this type of abuse can have. It also shows that offenders will be held accountable.

“We urge anyone experiencing controlling or coercive behaviour to come forward. You will be listened to, you will be supported, and we will investigate.”