'Grandiose bully' preyed on vulnerable divorcee

BULLYING boyfriend has been jailed for eight years after turning a wealthy divorcee’s “off-grid” dream into a nightmare.

- WALES NEWS SERVICE

Anthony Manson, 68, from Tintern in Monmouthshire, fooled his then girlfriend into believing “he was the ‘one for me” when her “unhappy marriage” to her husband ended.

A court heard how she moved into a country caravan with her £280,000 divorce settlement to start a new life, but Manson started a horrific campaign of abuse over the following six years - during which time he cut off her contact from family and friends and even forced her to stand naked outside to pray.

The woman, who previously worked as a nurse and psychotherapist, weighed 13st when she moved in with Manson but her weight plummeted to 8st when he forced her to work on the land.

Prosecutor Emma Harris said the woman had met Manson in 2015 at Glastonbury, where he was running a workshop to “get in touch with your inner voice”.

Newport Crown Court heard Manson quickly realised the woman was vulnerable and in the middle of a marriage breakdown, and he “worked through the abuser’s workbook” to prey on her.

The victim was later awarded money in her divorce settlement in 2017 before Manson fleeced her out of the cash to buy land and duped her into believing her name would be included.