Tarsam Singh, a 54-year-old man from Moseley, Birmingham, has been sentenced to over two years in prison after admitting to coercive and controlling behavior against his girlfriend over a seven-year period. The victim, a vulnerable woman with significant physical and mental health challenges, endured relentless verbal abuse and financial exploitation at Singh’s hands.
The couple met around ten years ago, with their relationship initially stable. However, after a few months, Singh’s behavior worsened. He frequently demeaned and verbally abused the victim, often humiliating her in front of his drinking companions and her family by mocking her health issues. Prosecutor Mia McNevin described how Singh’s abuse caused considerable damage to the woman’s mental health and self-esteem.
Financial control was a key element of Singh’s abuse. He demanded between £10 and £15 daily from the woman’s Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefits, falsely claiming entitlement as her carer. He also took her bank cards without permission, withdrew money for himself, and dictated how she spent her funds. On one occasion, Singh even stole her phone to sell it for alcohol. In 2020, he went as far as having his own benefits paid into her bank account to access more money.
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Singh’s controlling behavior extended to frequent uninvited visits to the victim’s home, aggression when asked to leave, and persistent demands for money, alleging the victim owed him thousands for years of “care.” The abuse culminated in his arrest in June 2024, followed by a second arrest in July 2025 after continued contact with the woman.
Throughout his trial at Birmingham Crown Court, it was revealed that Singh had no prior criminal record but had struggled with anxiety and alcohol addiction. While in custody before sentencing, he reportedly worked to overcome his alcoholism and assisted fellow inmates, despite being targeted by prison bullies and assaulted.
Judge Recorder Abigail Nixon noted the absence of genuine remorse from Singh and emphasized the severity of his offenses, imposing a two-year and three-month prison sentence. The judge also issued a ten-year restraining order prohibiting Singh from contacting the victim.
The victim has described the overwhelming control Singh exerted, explaining how he would “ruin [her] day, ruin [her] mood, put [her] on a downer,” and how she felt powerless as her confidence was steadily eroded by his bullying tactics.