Man who lived “off-grid” jailed for controlling and coercive behaviour

A man who assaulted his then partner and controlled her contact with family and the community has been jailed at Newport Crown Court.

Antonio Villafane, 67, who is also known as Anthony Manson, lived with his partner in a caravan on land near Tintern in Monmouthshire.

Over a period of nearly six years, he abused his then partner, by doing acts such as locking her in the caravan, restricting her food or forcing her to eat and assaulting her. He would also tie her up, control her contact with her family and force her to work on the land.

Sometimes, Villafane used weapons to assault her. On one occasion using a hot fire poker to burn her, whilst on another occasion hitting her to the head with a walking stick. He also struck her to the leg with a tool called an adze which is similar to an axe.  

He would make his partner wear a full-face veil to hide the bruises he had caused.

Villafane told the victim he would buy land in their joint names and persuaded her to transfer £250,000 into his bank account, which he then used to buy land in his name only.

Sarah Harding of the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Antonio Villafane is a violent and manipulative man.

“He took over his partner’s life, deciding what she did, who she saw and what she wore.

“Villafane denied the offences, but the strong evidence presented by the Crown Prosecution Service resulted in the jury’s guilty verdicts.

“Much of that evidence was directly from the victim herself, who showed great courage, and we thank her for her support throughout this case.  

“The Crown Prosecution Service takes all cases of domestic abuse extremely seriously and will continue working with our partners in the criminal justice system to bring perpetrators to justice.”

Antonio Villafane was sentenced on 26 November 2025 to a total of eight years' imprisonment and an indefinite restraining order was made.