MONSTER UNMASKED: Waterlooville Man Jailed After Strangling Partner And Controlling Her Every Move

HE controlled what she wore. Who she spoke to. How long she could leave the house. He even forced her to have surgery to change her appearance.

And when psychological torment was not enough, David Chandler resorted to violence — strangling his partner on multiple occasions and leaving her in fear for her life.

Now the 56-year-old monster from Hart Plain Avenue, Waterlooville, is behind bars — sentenced to over three years imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of strangulation, assault, and coercive control.

A Year of Terror

Portsmouth Crown Court heard how Chandler subjected his victim to a sustained campaign of abuse between June 2024 and June 2025. The offences took place in both Waterlooville and New Milton.

Despite pleading not guilty, an eight-day trial exposed the full horror of what this woman endured at his hands. The jury saw through his denials and convicted him on all counts.

He appeared at Portsmouth Crown Court on February 20th for sentencing. The judge had heard enough. Three years and counting behind bars.

Total Control: Every Aspect of Her Life

The details that emerged from the trial paint a chilling picture of domestic tyranny.

Chandler monitored his victim constantly. He set time limits on how long she could go out. He called her repeatedly to check up on her whereabouts. Normal life became impossible.

But it went further. Much further.

He dictated what clothes she could wear and what she was allowed to buy. He accused her of looking at other men and banned her from speaking to them. In the most disturbing revelation, he instructed her to undergo breast surgery to alter her appearance in front of other men.

His controlling behaviour even extended to her livelihood. Chandler took over his victim's business — changing its name, banning male customers, controlling what services could be offered, forcing changes to signage, ordering the deletion of social media accounts, and damaging business property.

He threatened to destroy her house and property. He made the same threats against her family members.

This was not a relationship. It was a prison.

The Violence

When coercive control was not enough, Chandler turned to physical violence.

On March 29th 2025, he intentionally strangled his victim. But this was not an isolated incident. The court heard evidence of repeated physical assaults throughout the relationship — strangulation on multiple occasions, grabbing her head, slapping her, pulling her hair, and physically restraining her.

Strangulation is one of the most dangerous forms of domestic violence. Research shows that victims who are strangled face a significantly increased risk of being killed by their abuser. Chandler knew exactly what he was doing.

Detective: "Shocking And Abhorrent"

Detective Constable Andrew Mason of the Havant and Waterlooville Criminal Investigations Department did not mince words when speaking after the sentencing.

"

To see Chandler sentenced to over three years imprisonment is a result I am happy with, as he deserves to be behind bars for the physical, emotional, mental and financial abuse he has put the victim through in this case.

— DC Andrew Mason, Havant and Waterlooville CID

He continued: "The lengths to which Chandler went to control the victim in all aspects of her life is both shocking and abhorrent. His behaviour has caused serious alarm and distress to the victim, which has understandably had a substantial adverse effect on her."

"

The physical violence that the victim has endured at his hands, including being subjected on multiple occasions to being strangled, is horrendous, and a real testament to how dangerous a man Chandler is.

— DC Andrew Mason

Victim's Courage Praised

DC Mason paid tribute to the victim's bravery in coming forward and seeing the case through to conviction.

"I would like to commend the victim for her strength and bravery throughout the investigation and court process, and thank her for her continued support in helping us see Chandler be put behind bars. We could not have achieved this result without her courage and determination to see justice be done."

It takes extraordinary courage to report domestic abuse. It takes even more to endure an eight-day trial where your abuser denies everything. This woman did both.

A Warning To Others

Chandler's conviction sends a clear message: coercive control is a crime, and perpetrators will face justice.

Since coercive control became a criminal offence in 2015, police and courts have become increasingly effective at recognising and prosecuting this insidious form of abuse. It is no longer necessary to have visible bruises. Psychological control, isolation, and intimidation are crimes in their own right.

For anyone in Waterlooville or the surrounding area experiencing similar abuse, help is available. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline operates 24/7 on 0808 2000 247. Hampshire Police can be contacted on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

You are not alone. And as this case proves, justice is possible.