Dorian Williams, 49, jailed for 18 months after disturbing pattern of control and stalking
When a relationship ends, most people walk away. But for Dorian Williams, heartbreak turned into a sinister obsession that saw him controlling, stalking, and emotionally tormenting his former partner. Now, the 49-year-old from Wales has been jailed for 18 months after a court heard chilling details of his disturbing behaviour.
Once described as “mild-mannered,” Williams revealed a far more menacing side when his relationship began to deteriorate. Swansea Crown Court heard how he methodically isolated his partner from her support network—taking her phone and car keys in acts of controlling coercion that made her feel like a prisoner in her own life.
https://dailytuesday.co.uk/tag/uk-crime/His campaign escalated further after she found the courage to leave him. What followed was not remorse, but harassment. Williams launched what the judge called a “sinister campaign” of stalking, bombarding her with calls, turning up unannounced at her place of work, and lingering outside her home in an effort to unsettle her.
These incidents weren’t just isolated or impulsive—they were calculated moves designed to instil fear and reassert control. The court heard harrowing accounts from the victim, who described how the campaign had changed her “beyond recognition.”
Embed from Getty Images“She became a shadow of herself,” prosecutors told the court. “What started as a relationship ended in intimidation and psychological torment.”
Despite a history of legal issues and prior warnings, Williams appeared in court still professing his love. “I loved her so much,” he told the judge. “I hoped there was another chance for us.”
But Judge Paul Thomas KC dismissed the sentiment. “Actions speak louder than words,” he replied, handing down an 18-month prison sentence for stalking and coercive control.
The judge emphasised the seriousness of Williams’s behaviour, stating that it was not a single moment of poor judgment but a prolonged and deliberate campaign of intimidation. “This was not love—it was manipulation, obsession, and a refusal to let go,” he said.
The case stands as a grim reminder of how obsession can spiral into abuse, even from those who once seemed benign. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a statement that she was “grateful the nightmare is over” but continues to live with the psychological scars.
The court heard that Williams’s controlling behaviour began subtly during their relationship. Over time, he chipped away at her independence, separating her from her friends and family, demanding her attention, and gradually taking control of her daily life. Taking her phone and car keys was just the beginning of what became a larger pattern of abuse.
Once the relationship ended, Williams did not accept the breakup. Instead, he began haunting her routine—watching, waiting, phoning constantly. One colleague at her workplace recalled a day when Williams loitered outside for hours, watching her through the window.
Judge Thomas praised the victim for her bravery in coming forward and urged other victims of coercive control and stalking to seek help. “No one should feel unsafe in their own home or workplace,” he said. “This case shows how crucial it is to report abuse early and prevent it from escalating.”
Williams will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence. A restraining order has also been imposed, forbidding him from contacting his ex-partner indefinitely.
