Domestic Abuser Jailed After Wigan Court Hearing 2026

Key Points

• Anthony Howarth, aged 35 from Bag Lane, Atherton, has been handed a jail term of 28 months.
• He pleaded guilty to committing controlling and coercive behavior against a named individual.
• This case came up at Bolton Crown Court.
• Howarth had previously been before Manchester and Salford magistrates to make his guilty plea.
• It was noted that Howarth placed the victim in fear of her own safety, insulted her with degrading language and threatened violence.
• It had already been decided that he be held in custody prior to sentencing.
• This story was covered by Wigan Today on 13th October 2026.
• Controlling and coercive behavior is punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment pursuant to section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015.

Wigan Crime (Manchester Mirror) October 13, 2026 – An Atherton man who admitted subjecting his partner to domestic abuse has been jailed for more than two years following a sentencing hearing at Bolton Crown Court.

Anthony Howarth, 35, of Bag Lane, Atherton, received a 28-month custodial sentence after previously pleading guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour towards a named woman. As reported by Wigan Today, the court heard that Howarth’s conduct left the victim in fear of her safety, involved degrading name-calling and included violent threats.

What did Anthony Howarth admit?

Howarth admitted one charge of controlling and coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship. According to Wigan Today, he entered his guilty plea when he appeared before Manchester and Salford justices before the case proceeded to sentencing at Bolton Crown Court.

The offence relates to behaviour within an intimate or family relationship. Under section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015, controlling or coercive behaviour can be tried either in the magistrates’ court or at the Crown Court, and carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment.

What did the court hear about the abuse?

As reported by Wigan Today, the court heard that Howarth put the victim in fear of her safety during their relationship. The report stated that he called her degrading names and made violent threats towards her.

Wigan Today described Howarth as having “terrorised” the woman during the relationship. The article did not provide further details about the duration of the relationship, the exact nature of the threats, or any additional offences.

When was Anthony Howarth sentenced?

Howarth was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court, where he received a 28-month prison term. Wigan Today reported that he had already been remanded into custody before the sentencing hearing.

An earlier Wigan Today report, published on 4 September 2026, said that sentencing had been listed for 24 September at Bolton Crown Court. The later report confirms that the sentence was subsequently handed down, although it does not specify the exact date of the sentencing hearing.

How long will Anthony Howarth spend in prison?

Howarth was given a 28-month custodial sentence. Wigan Today reported the sentence as being “more than two years”, which corresponds to the 28-month term imposed by the judge.

The sentence falls below the statutory maximum of five years for controlling or coercive behaviour. The Crown Prosecution Service states that the offence is subject to a specific Sentencing Council guideline and that courts must also have regard to overarching principles concerning domestic abuse.

What is controlling or coercive behaviour?

Controlling or coercive behaviour is a criminal offence created by section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015. The Crown Prosecution Service describes it as behaviour that takes place in an intimate or family relationship and can include patterns of control, intimidation, isolation or threats.

Government statutory guidance describes the offence as serious and confirms that it can attract up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, when convicted on indictment.

The Sentencing Council’s guideline sets an offence range from a community order to four years’ custody. For the most serious Category 1A cases, the guideline gives a starting point of two years and six months’ custody, with a category range of one to four years.

Background of the development

The case concerns Anthony Howarth, a 35-year-old man from Bag Lane in Atherton, within the Wigan borough. He admitted controlling and coercive behaviour towards a named female partner after appearing before Manchester and Salford justices.

Wigan Today first reported in September 2026 that Howarth was in custody awaiting sentence. That earlier report stated that the court had heard he placed the victim in fear of her safety, used degrading language towards her and made violent threats.

The sentencing at Bolton Crown Court concluded the proceedings reported by Wigan Today. The judge imposed a 28-month prison sentence, meaning Howarth will serve a custodial term of two years and four months before any release arrangements determined under the applicable prison and sentencing rules.

Controlling or coercive behaviour has been a distinct criminal offence in England and Wales since the Serious Crime Act 2015. The legislation was introduced to recognise patterns of abusive conduct that may not involve a single physical assault but can still cause serious harm, fear and control within a relationship.

Prediction: How could this development affect domestic abuse victims?

For domestic abuse victims in Wigan borough and across Greater Manchester, the sentence may reinforce that controlling and coercive conduct can lead to a custodial penalty, even where the case does not involve a separate physical-assault charge. The 28-month sentence demonstrates that courts can treat threats, fear and degrading treatment as serious criminal conduct.

Victims considering reporting similar abuse may see the outcome as confirmation that patterns of intimidation and control can be prosecuted under existing law. The Crown Prosecution Service notes that prosecutors should ensure courts consider domestic-abuse principles when dealing with such offences, which may support a more informed approach to victim safety and case handling.

For local support services, the case may prompt increased awareness of non-physical domestic abuse. The statutory framework recognises controlling or coercive behaviour as a serious offence, and public reporting of sentencing outcomes can help victims and their families identify behaviour that may amount to a criminal offence rather than private relationship conflict.