A Swindon man is due to appear in court accused of controlling a woman for more than ten years before engaging in a campaign of stalking.
42-year-old Lee Barnard, who is also known as Lee Iles, allegedly created a spreadsheet detailing the household chores his then-partner was expected to complete each day.
He is accused of treating the jobs as her responsibility, allowing her just one hour to enjoy a cup of tea, a slice of cake and read a book.
The alleged controlling or coercive behaviour is said to have taken place in Swindon between 29 December 2015 and 1 January 2026.
According to court documents, Barnard’s alleged offending had a serious effect on the woman with whom he was living and in a relationship.
The defendant is also accused of stalking the woman between 26 April and 18 August 2025, causing her serious alarm or distress.
It is alleged that he repeatedly sent unwanted messages questioning his ex-girlfriend’s whereabouts and asking whether she was with another man.
Barnard is also accused of threatening suicide when he did not receive the responses he wanted from the woman.
The charge alleges that he used their children as an excuse to contact her, and asked that she drop items off at his address in an attempt to see her.
He is further accused of sending numerous messages about booking a family holiday, despite the relationship having ended.
Prosecutors allege that his behaviour interfered with the woman’s wellbeing and day-to-day plans, having a substantial adverse effect on her usual activities.
Barnard, of Cowleaze in Ridgeway Farm, has been charged with controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship and stalking involving serious alarm or distress.
He is due to appear at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (15 October).
