The former partner of a police and crime commissioner has received a 15-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, for assaulting her and then stalking her when she ended the relationship.
Gil Winfield, 48, was also ordered to undertake 15 “rehabilitation activity days” and 180 hours of unpaid work after he admitted assaulting and stalking Alison Hernandez, the PCC for Devon and Cornwall.
Hernandez has said she was at first reluctant to report what had happened to her but did so after speaking to a police chaplain.
Speaking after the sentencing, she said: “I think it’s vital that victims of stalking and those who find themselves in such situations have confidence that the police will take their complaints seriously and that officers have the time to build a full picture of any repetitive and unwanted behaviours.
“As soon as I reported these crimes, to some extent the matter was taken out of my hands and placed into the hands of the experts, and that was a relief. This sentence has reassured me that reporting the crime was the right thing to do. I would certainly urge any victims of stalking to get their local police force to investigate.”
In her victim impact statement, Hernandez said: “I am always looking over my shoulder. I just want Gil stop stop and leave me alone. I do not want any contact.”
Hernandez has said Winfield, a chartered surveyor, was jealous from the start of their relationship and was first violent while they were on holiday in Italy, throwing a hot cup of tea at her head, narrowly missing her.
Exeter crown court was told that Winfield assaulted Hernandez in her bedroom at her home in Devon late one night as her daughter slept nearby. Judith Constable, prosecuting, said Winfield grabbed and held Hernandez by her left wrist for about a minute, leaving a bruise. “The complainant felt he was trying to stop her from talking,” she said.
On another occasion, Winfield was driving her in his car when they had an argument about money. Constable said: “As they were moving along in the car the defendant struck her to the right side of her face and neck. The blow was very painful. There was no warning, the blow just happened. She was very shocked and sat frozen for some time and hit him with the back of her hand. It was an instinctive reaction.”
When they reached her home, Hernandez jumped out and ran into her house, locking the door. She dumped his belongings outside.
Constable said Hernandez told him the relationship was over but he bombarded her with voicemails, emails and text messages. He visited her and left unwanted gifts including an envelope with letters, a photo, an Easter egg for her daughter and a bottle of sparkling wine.
Hernandez contacted lawyers who told Winfield to leave her alone but he continued to stalk her.
The judge David Evans said Hernandez’s role as police and crime commissioner may at first have dissuaded her from complaining to police because it could lead to “career embarrassment”.
He said she had stopped publishing her work itinerary so she would not be stalked, and Winfield had threatened to disclose material that would have damaged her career.
Winfield admitted two counts of assault by beating – in October 2017 and February this year – and an offence of stalking between 18 February and 14 April.
Evans told Winfield: “You were obsessed and besotted. You were manipulative, controlling and wanted revenge on her for her ending the relationship.” He imposed a 10-year restraining order banning Winfield from contacting Hernandez.
Outside court, Det Con Claire Brown said: “This case shows that victims of domestic violence and abuse do come from all walks of life, and anyone can be vulnerable regardless of their perceived strength.”
Katie Ghose, the chief executive of Women’s Aid, said: “The criminal justice system must send a clear message to the public that domestic abuse is always unacceptable. Alison Hernandez has taken a brave step in speaking out about the abuse she experienced and we hope her bravery encourages others to feel able to talk about their experiences and seek the help and support they need.”
