A man from Barnham has been found guilty in court for his abusive actions towards a young woman. Callum Walsh, 29, of Warren Road, Barnham, initiated contact with the woman, who is in her twenties, in December 2022. Following their meeting, Walsh displayed increasingly paranoid, coercive, and threatening behaviors towards her, attempting to dictate her movements and social interactions.
When Walsh felt he was losing control, he resorted to physical violence. On January 14, in the early hours, he committed a severe assault on the woman. She managed to flee her home and contacted emergency services. The police responded promptly, implemented protective measures for her safety, and began a search for Walsh.
Walsh was later apprehended in Cornwall and faced charges including non-fatal strangulation, causing actual bodily harm, and coercive behavior. He was detained pending trial.
On November 8, at Lewes Crown Court, Walsh pleaded guilty to the charge of non-fatal strangulation as the trial began. The other charges were recorded but not pursued at this time. His sentencing is scheduled for December 22 at a yet-to-be-determined court.
