Burnley Man Jailed for Sick Abuse Campaign Against Wife
Christopher Taylor, 60, has been locked up for two years and one month for cruel controlling behaviour targeting his wife Tanya. The Burnley resident carried out relentless abuse over six years, tormenting Tanya inside their own home.
Horrific Abuse Revealed
- Isolating Tanya from friends and family
- Tracking her every movement
- Controlling all her finances
- Threatening to kill her
- Sending violent threats
- Impersonating her online and distributing nude photos
- Forcing her to get his name tattooed on her
- Creating fake dating profiles on her behalf
- Installing cameras inside the family home
- Removing internal door locks to deny privacy
- Withholding medication after she suffered a stroke
Taylor pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour and possession of offensive weapons. He was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on April 3rd.
Tanya’s Courageous Fight for Freedom
“Over the years I felt trapped in constant abuse,” Tanya, 56, said. “Home should be a place of safety, but it became the worst place imaginable. Christopher should have protected me, but instead he made my life a nightmare.”
She described the chilling online harassment, with Taylor pretending to be her and sending naked pictures to men, even contacting their partners to stir chaos.
“He put me on dating sites pretending to be me—I can’t understand how someone who ‘loves’ you can do this,” she said.
Tanya revealed how Taylor used threats and violence to keep her under his thumb, making her believe she was always at fault. She feared for her life and felt isolated from her family.
“I truly believe he was capable of killing me,” she confessed. “The fear hasn’t gone away.”
Despite battling depression, anxiety, and shame, Tanya found the strength to go to police in September 2022.
“Speaking out was terrifying. I feared for my safety and that of my children, but I was determined to stop the nightmare,” she explained.
Thanks to support from Lancashire Victim Support and the police, Tanya is now rebuilding her life, though panic attacks and nightmares linger.
“I want other victims to know there is hope. The journey is hard, but you can get through it,” she said.
Police Praise Tanya’s Bravery
DC Dave Senior of Lancashire Police said: “Christopher Taylor was a devious and dangerous abuser. Tanya’s bravery in coming forward after years of high-risk abuse is incredible and commendable.
“With ongoing support, Tanya has moved from victim to survivor and is on the path to recovery. The protective measures put in place will keep her and her family safe.”
“To anyone suffering domestic abuse: come forward. We offer respect, kindness, and a voice to guide you through this. There’s light at the end of the tunnel.”
