A traumatised wife who suffered 14 years of abuse at the hands of her controlling husband finally called the police on him when he attacked her during lockdown. 

Cristina Coman, 46,

A traumatised wife who suffered 14 years of abuse at the hands of her controlling husband finally called the police on him when he attacked her during lockdown. 

Cristina Coman, 46, separated from taxi driver Sorin Alpopi, also 46, in 2019 after 14 years of marriage.

She found a new place to stay in Wandsworth, south west London, but called 999 when he turned up there and started repeatedly punching her on April 5. 

Alpopi also deleted all her phone contacts and stole her mobile and British passport in a bid to get her to go back to their native Romania so he could have her house in London to himself.

Ms Coman told police Alpopi had a history of 'controlling behaviour and emotional blackmail' in her statement.

Domestic abuse experts have seen a 25 per cent rise in crisis calls from victims during the coronavirus shutdown.  

He pleaded guilty to one count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in a family relationship and one count of assault by beating at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.     

Sorin Alpopi, 46, pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and one count of assault by beating of his estranged wife Cristina Coman, 46 

Prosecutor Robert Simpson said: 'It's classic coercive, controlling behaviour. The complainant is the defendant's 46 year old partner.

'A 999 call was made by Cristina Coman. Police arrived and she told them he had grabbed her by the arm and punched her several times.

'At this point she revealed over the 14 years of their marriage there had been a history of controlling behaviour and emotional blackmail.

'She had separated from him about a year ago and managed to find accommodation. He made his way back into the house.

'She showed the police a bruise on her arm and around her armpit and claimed that over a period of time he had taken her telephone.

'She said he had also taken her British passport so the only passport she had left was her own Romanian passport.

'The reasoning was the defendant wanted to force her to go back to Romania so he could have the house to himself.

'He was interviewed about the matter he said he took the phone from her because she spent too much time talking on it. She told police the contacts had been removed from her phone.' 

Domestic abuse experts have seen a 25 per cent rise in crisis calls from victims during the coronavirus shutdown. File image used 

District Judge Andrew Sweet asked: 'What is he doing about his appalling behaviour?'

Richard Barrett, defending Alpopi, replied: 'It seems to be driven by drink. When he's been drinking he becomes unpleasant and behaves in a way Mr Simpson has indicated.

'He was working as a minicab driver but because of Covid-19 has been told not to go to the office.' 

Domestic violence incidents are expected to have gone up by the time the next national figures are released. 

With victims unable to leave their homes and struggling financially during the COVID-19 lockdown, they are even more vulnerable than usual, as well as refuges being closed.  

Alpopi was bailed on the condition he does not enter Wandsworth or make contact with Ms Coman ahead of sentencing on May 6.

A graphic shows the increase in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths in the UK