A NEW law targeting domestic abusers has been welcomed by Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner.

The legislation will enable victims who are subject to extreme psychological and emotional abuse to bring those involved to justice.

The law will target those who subject spouses, partners and family members to this type of torment but stop short of violence.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years' imprisonment, a fine or both. 

John Dwyer said: “The legislation has been designed to close a gap in the law around patterns of controlling or coercive behaviour in an ongoing relationship between intimate partners or family members.”

“With this new legislation in force officers will have even more tools in their armoury to tackle those who target the vulnerable, and as a caring constabulary, this will help us to continue to protect those who need us when they need us, where they need us.”