Domestic abuser Joshua Dalgrano jailed after sentence appeal

Taunton Crown Court found Joshua Dalgrano, 25, guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour

A domestic abuser has been jailed after one of the country's most senior lawyers stepped in to appeal against his "unduly lenient" sentence.

Joshua Dalgrano, 25, was originally given a non-custodial community order for controlling and coercive behaviour towards a pregnant woman.

Solicitor General Michael Ellis QC referred the case to the Appeal Court.

After a hearing Dalgrano, from Street, Somerset, had his sentence increased to three years, Mr Ellis said.

He was given the 24-month order in December after being found guilty by jurors at Taunton Crown Court.

'Appalling and persistent'

Speaking after the judgement, Mr Ellis said it was a case of abuse with "controlling and coercive behaviour, including violent behaviour towards his partner".

"I, as Solicitor General, referred the case to three senior judges... we've had the hearing and the sentence has been increased from what had been a non-custodial sentence, a community order, up to a sentence of three years' imprisonment," he said.

"Cases involving domestic violence for a prolonged period in a particularly appalling and persistent fashion should be met with appropriate sentences."

In April 2017, Dalgrano was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment and made the subject of a restraining order for assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to a different victim.

The most recent case is one of the first of its kind for offences covered by the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

Controlling or Coercive Behaviour in an Intimate or Family Relationship was added to the scheme in September 2019.