Colwyn Bay man ‘isolated’ partner and threatened her parents

Published October 23, 2025 By admin

Leon Marsh, 20, of Awelon Park, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for the same time period, at Caernarfon Crown Court today (October 23).

He had previously admitted charges of sending a communication threatening death of serious harm, sending an offensive message, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Prosecutor Jade Tufail said Marsh “isolated” Heidi Chamberlain from her friends and family, and “coerced” her into withdrawing complaints she had made to police about him.

They began a relationship in June 2024, but an unrelated incident saw Marsh arrested a month later; from then on, Heidi Chamberlain’s mother, Chantelle, banned him from coming to their house.

In August 2024, Marsh accused Heidi Chamberlain of being unfaithful while with her and her family friends, and called her derogatory names.

Then, in September, he accused her of being unfaithful while in Rhos-on-Sea, before ripping her necklace from her neck, pulling out some of her hair, and throwing her purse on the floor.

Marsh was then heard “gloating” to Chantelle Chamberlain about what he had done – she then came to pick her daughter up, and found her in a “completely panicked and anxious” state.

In October, Marsh sent numerous abusive messages to Chantelle Chamberlain, including calling her a “rat” and “vile”.

He added to her: “You need to watch your back. You’re a f***ing disgusting mother and an even worse liar.

“I’ll put that Ring doorbell down your throat if you don’t leave me alone. You’re obsessive and it’s weird.”

Later that month, he made another threat to kill Heidi Chamberlain’s father, Gavin, who he called a “waste of space”.

Marsh was arrested on November 4; by then, Heidi Chamberlain said, he had “completely brainwashed” her, she having cut all contact with her mother in late October.

Heidi Chamberlain also lost her job because Marsh repeatedly called in sick on her behalf.

The couple moved to Birmingham in late November, but Heidi Chamberlain later resumed contact with her mother, telling her she did not feel safe with Marsh and felt “extremely low”.

On January 18, 2025, she asked for help at a pharmacy – she was taken to a police station, but after Marsh apologised to her, she decided to return to him.

This involved her walking for three hours to Birmingham New Street railway station to meet him.

Heidi Chamberlain briefly returned to North Wales in February, but Marsh soon convinced her to return to Birmingham, before deleting train tickets her mother had bought for her on her phone.

On April 10, Heidi Chamberlain returned to North Wales for good, having told Marsh it was to celebrate her and her mother’s birthdays.

Marsh sent her a message on April 18, apologising and saying “goodbye” – she then blocked contact with him altogether.

In a statement, Chantelle Chamberlain said her daughter is a “completely different person” because of Marsh.

Heidi Chamberlain said she felt “trapped, isolated and lost” in her relationship with him, and likened it to being “on a confusing rollercoaster”.

She added the last year of her life had been “snatched away” by Marsh, who was re-arrested on May 25.

Representing Marsh, who had no previous convictions but one caution for battery of a former partner in public, Simon Killeen said he is “clearly a vulnerable young man”.

Marsh was placed in the care system at age four, and remained living with foster parents until he was about 17.

These foster parents have now regained contact with Marsh, and said they will assist him with finding work and accommodation when released from prison.

Mr Killeen also asked the court to consider Marsh was 19 years old when he committed these offences, and had no previous convictions.

Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones told Marsh that Heidi Chamberlain and her family had done “everything they could to assist you in sorting your life out”.

She added: “They knew what an absolutely terrible childhood you’d had.

“Your behaviour towards Heidi Chamberlain was a relentless period of control and coercion. You constantly harangued her.

“It will take her a long time to recover from your abuse.”

“I’m going to suspend your sentence because you’ve had time to reflect in custody (on remand), and because of your young age, you’re clearly capable of rehabilitation.

“(But) you are hanging by a thread.”

Marsh will complete 10 days’ rehabilitation activity, 12 months’ mental health treatment and drug rehabilitation requirements, and an accredited programme.

Domestic abuse protection orders were made, banning Marsh from contacting Heidi and Chantelle Chamberlain for five years.

Content retrieved from: https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/25565487.colwyn-bay-man-isolated-partner-threatened-parents/.