A Chippenham actor has been jailed for controlling behaviour after he ordered his girlfriend to wear socks at all times – even in the bath.
Gavin Eyles, 37, told his new partner what to wear, who to see and made her indulge his foot fetishes.
The acting website www.starnow.co.uk credits him with appearing in Disney’s ‘Muppets 2’ and ‘Harry Hill: The Movie’.
He has now pleaded guilty to two offences of using controlling and coercive behaviour between March 1, 2019 and August 21, 2020.
He also admitted stalking the woman between August 19, 2020 and September 19, 2021, causing her serious alarm or distress.
His victim, a woman from Lydney, Gloustershire, met Eyles, of Royal Oak Close, Chippenham, on social media in March 2019.
Prosecutor David Maunder said he controlled his new girlfriend’s movements when he moved in with her at the start of the pandemic.
Mr Maunder said he ”became jealous of her having contact with other people” including friends and family.
He looked at her phone, told her what to wear and told her he ”didn’t want her looking like a drag queen’.
He branded her ”stupid and uneducated’ and ”indulge in certain fetishes”.
Eyles would threaten to kill himself if she ended the relationship and then began stalking her.
On one occasion he hid inside a wardrobe in her home as part of his stalking of her.
The judge jailed Eyles for two years and eight months and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £170.
He also subjected him to a ten-year restraining order not to contact his victim by any means and prohibited him from entering Gloucestershire.
His victim has spoken about the “earth-shattering” ordeal and urges others to speak out and seek support.
Following the sentence, the victim said: “This whole experience, although earth-shattering, has taught me many things in regards to stalking and its effects.
“Stalking is not just someone stood under a light outside your house, it’s small subtle events such as texts, calls, flowers at your door, streaming sites you watch being hacked and monitored.
”It’s invasive and scary. It can involve ex-partners but also neighbours or work colleagues or strangers.
“Without reporting it I feel so many others experiencing stalking can become lost, confused and unsure if they are at risk, feeling they won’t be believed or taken seriously. But believe me they will.
“There are amazing people working hard to stop these actions and too many people have been hurt for this not to be taken seriously. If anyone, for any reason, feels they are ever not safe or something isn’t right I implore them to speak out.
”The more awareness of this there is, the more chance these individuals can be stopped and people can be safe.”
Detective Inspector Angela Middlewood said: “Eyles’ persistent and obsessive behaviour was a controlling form of abuse.
“His despicable actions caused a significant amount of distress and harm to the victim, and I would like to commend her for her courage and continued strength throughout what has been a horrific ordeal.
“It’s not flattering to be harassed or stalked, it’s unwanted and unwarranted behaviour that causes fear. These actions can have a devastating impact, and cause lasting emotional and psychological harm to a person.
“I hope that the outcome of this case and restraining order will offer the victim some closure and reassurance.
“We work with partner agencies who can offer victims of stalking further guidance and continued support. We’re hopeful that prosecutions like this will encourage other stalking victims not to suffer in silence, and reassure them that the police and partner agencies take all such allegations extremely seriously.”
Police say he controlled the victim to the extent where she had to ask permission before doing daily tasks such as having a shower or deciding what she could wear.
After their relationship ended he then continued to try and make unwanted contact with her, and on one occasion he hid in the victim’s cupboard in her home.
While on remand in prison, Eyles then phoned the victim 128 times.
Due to time already spent in custody on remand he is due to be released from prison in due course.
