A DRUG user accused of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour across 10 years over a woman with whom he was in a relationship has been taken into custody.

Andrew Selley, aged 38, of Chipstable, near Wiveliscombe, appeared in Taunton Deane Magistrates Court on Monday (October 26).

Prosecuting solicitor Emma Lenanton said Selley was also separately charged after he was found to be in possession of a quantity of the class A drug cocaine in Bridgwater on Saturday (October 24).

Ms Lenanton said the first count against Selley was that he repeatedly or continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive between December 31, 2015, and December 31, 2025.

It included imposing a list of rules on the woman, assaulting her, belittling her, threatening her, controlling her finances, recording and posting demeaning videos of her on social media, and damaging her telephone.

Ms Lenanton said it was behaviour which Selley knew, or should have known, would have a serious effect on the woman.

Selley, who was not represented in court, did not enter a plea to the charge.

District Judge Angela Brereton remanded Selley in custody and committed him to Taunton Crown Court for trial.

She said his next appearance in crown court would be on November 27 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Judge Brereton passed sentence for the drugs offence, to which Selley pleaded guilty.

She authorised the forfeiture and destruction of the cocaine and fined Selley £290 and ordered him to pay a victim fund surcharge of £116 after taking his guilty plea into account.

However, in default of the payment, Judge Brereton imposed a custody sentence to last until the court rose for the day, which she said would be sufficient when taking into account the time he had already spent in detention.