A dangerous domestic abuse perpetrator has been sentenced to prison for a series of offences committed against his ex-partner, as well as assaults on two police officers.

Claudio Stroud, 23, of Tennyson Street, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court on 24 January 2025, where he was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour, threats to kill, two counts of actual bodily harm, two counts of threatening with an offensive weapon, and two counts of assaulting emergency workers.

Stroud has been sentenced to four years and six months for the offences against his ex-partner, with an additional three-month sentence for the assaults on the officers. He will also serve an extended licence period of two years and is subject to a 10-year restraining order.

The offences took place between March 20 and 23, 2023, when Stroud seriously assaulted the victim, a woman in her 20s, attempting to strangle her and threatening to kill her. Stroud also held a knife to the victim’s neck on two separate occasions.

Following the victim’s report, Stroud was arrested on 23 March 2023. During his arrest, he violently resisted, assaulting two officers in the process. One officer had a finger fractured, and another suffered a sprained wrist.

Stroud, who was on licence from prison at the time due to previous similar offences against another victim, was recalled to prison following this arrest.

Key evidence from the victim, including statements from her and family members, photos of injuries, abusive messages, and recordings, helped secure Stroud’s conviction. Despite pleading not guilty, Stroud was found guilty after a trial by jury.

Complex Crime Investigator Catherine Baird, who worked on the case, praised the bravery of the victim: “I want to highlight and emphasise the bravery of the victim in this case – without her courage and her victim impact statement, we wouldn’t have been able to secure this conviction and sentence. I hope this conviction will encourage more women and girls to come forward.”

She continued: “This case shows that we will always investigate, victims will be heard, and perpetrators put before the courts. Stroud’s behaviour has had a significant impact on the victim, and I hope this sentence and restraining order will give her some form of closure and allow her to start moving on with her life.”

Domestic abuse can affect anyone, regardless of ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, or social background. Wiltshire Police continues to encourage anyone suffering from physical, sexual, psychological, or financial abuse to report it. You are not alone, and support is available.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact Wiltshire Police or support organisations such as Paragon or Fearfree for assistance. Further information, including advice and how to report abuse, can be found on the Wiltshire Police website.