Man jailed after terrorising woman for almost two years including wiping dirty shoes on her clothes and throwing hot drinks at her
The 42-year-old thug – who for legal reasons cannot be named – was sent down at Portsmouth Crown Court.
The court heard how the defendant tormented his victim, who also cannot be named for legal reasons, over a period of 21 months in Lavant, Chichester, including spitting in the victim’s face and punching her.
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Hide AdThe attacker’s relentless thirst to insubordinate the woman saw him use a ‘variety of methods to humiliate’ her as he exerted full control over the lady between July 2016 and April 2018.
The defendant had denied his ruthless behaviour before he was found guilty by a jury of controlling or coercive behaviour and sexual assault.
His catalogue of terrorising behaviour included putting the woman in fear of violence by ‘grabbing’ and ‘barging’ her, feigning a punch before slowing down yet still making contact, wiping his dirty trainers on her clean clothes and throwing hot drinks near her.
Prosecutor Roderick Blaine said: ‘The offending was persistent and over a length of time while there was an element of humiliation and degradation involved and multiple methods used.’
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Hide AdThe court heard how defendant’s vindictive approach then spilled over into sexual assault when he ‘groped the woman’s breasts’.
When confronted by the startled woman, the attacker claimed he tripped over a dog before happening to clutch her breasts.
Defending, Jonathan Atkinson, said his client who lives in Chichester, had ‘poor temper control’ and largely accepted his offending.
But recorder Michael Bowes QC rejected this, with him referring to a probation report which highlighted how the controlling thug thought he could ‘get away with’.
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Hide AdHe said: ‘You deliberately set out to make her life a misery which forced her to give up work and take antidepressants.
‘You do not accept your behaviour was abusive. You believed you could just treat her like you wanted. No one has the right to treat anyone like they are their property.
‘This was consistent conduct over a period of months that used multiple methods and involved humiliation.’
Despite the 42-year-old’s previously unblemished criminal record, recorder Bowes refused to suspend the sentence and ordered an immediate custodial term of nine months.
A restraining order for five years was also made.