Janek Pasnicki Jailed Three Years for Worst Case of Coercive Control

A Tadworth man who subjected a woman to a calculated, five-year campaign of domestic tyranny has begun a three-year prison sentence after a judge condemned his actions as one of the worst examples of coercive and controlling behaviour the court had ever seen.

Janek Pasnicki, 60 (born 30 December 1965), a Polish national living in Tadworth, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Monday, 3 August 2026, following a ten-day trial in May 2026. Presiding Her Honour Judge Harden-Frost delivered a scathing assessment of his actions when sentencing him to three years’ imprisonment—of which he must serve at least half in custody—alongside a ten-year restraining order.

The trial exposed an intricate web of psychological manipulation, financial deprivation, and continuous surveillance. Over more than five years, Pasnicki systematically dismantled the survivor’s personal autonomy, restricting and monitoring multiple aspects of her life. He isolated her from friends and family, dictated what she wore, controlled her social media use, monitored her movements, and secretly recorded her conversations. He went so far as to install a video camera inside her home to keep her under perpetual surveillance, referring to her as a "dolly" who was required to act strictly according to his wishes.

In an analysis of the court proceedings for Daily Dazzling Dawn, the full extent of Pasnicki’s calculated cruelty was detailed. To verify whether the survivor had left the address in his absence, he placed paper against doors to check for movement. He manipulated her personal relationships by convincing her that others were untrustworthy and that she possessed poor judgement about people, rendering her completely unreachable to those around her.

Pasnicki’s demand for control extended to every daily interaction. He subjected the survivor to threats, insults, and severe emotional manipulation whenever she spoke to other men, frequently threatening self-harm and forcing her to sign formal "contracts" after arguments. To further distort her sense of reality, he deliberately humiliated her and dismissed his abusive behavior as a consequence of her own mental health.

The economic dimension of the abuse left devastating real-world consequences. Pasnicki exerted total control over her finances, forcing her to give up work and become entirely financially dependent on him. This deliberate economic subjugation left her struggling and forced to rely on food banks to survive.

Despite wanting to leave, the survivor was so consumed by fear of his potential reaction that she felt trapped with nowhere to run. Following years of sustained abuse, she ultimately reported the offences to the police. Pasnicki was arrested in 2023 and subsequently gave two no-comment interviews to investigators.

In a poignant statement read to the court, the survivor described the long recovery ahead: "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. 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."

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Natalie Stone, who led the investigation, told journalists: "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."

With Pasnicki now serving his custodial sentence, the focus shifts to post-release enforcement. Upon completing the mandatory custodial portion of his sentence, Pasnicki will remain subject to strict license conditions and the ten-year restraining order, ensuring long-term legal protections remain in place to safeguard the survivor as she continues rebuilding her life.