A controlling thug has been jailed for four years for attacking his girlfriend and trying to stop her giving evidence against him.
Dean Cunningham, 36, subjected the woman to more than a year of physical and verbal violence, as well as controlling her everyday decisions, including the clothes she wore, medication she took and food she ate.
He was first arrested when police were called to reports of a disturbance in Williams Road, Bosham, in January this year.
She told officer Cunningham had attacked her several times over the previous nine months, including times where she has struggled to breathe.
She said Cunningham would always accuse her of seeing other men, which was not true. Whenever she would attempt to call the police, he would always intervene.
He was arrested and charged with assault and criminal damage – but while on court bail, he sent messages and threatening voice notes to withdraw her statement. He was remanded in custody in February.
He was then charged with intentional suffocation, actual bodily harm, perverting the course of justice – and later charged with controlling and coercive behaviour.
When appearing before Portsmouth Crown Court on 1 November, Cunningham, 36, of Bracklesham Lane, Bracklesham pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
He was also handed a ten-year restraining order against the victim.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett said: “This conviction shows the importance of reporting domestic abuse. We take a firm stance on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls.
“You will be believed, we will listen and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“Cunningham was a serial offender who made his victim suffer over a long period of time. The sentence and restraining order can hopefully bring her some peace and time to heal.”
