A man faces the prospect of a prison sentence after a jury convicted him of assaulting a woman and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour over three years.
Mitchell Maybank, known as Mitch, abused a woman in her thirties from October 2017 to December 2020, trying to control many aspects of her life.
Sussex Police said: “The victim was subjected to a repeated pattern of physical and psychological abuse, including violent assaults causing her to lose consciousness.”
She contacted the police in March 2021 to report being raped by Maybank in Eastbourne three times in 2020.
The self-employed builder was arrested and later charged with three counts of rape as well as coercive and controlling behaviour and assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH).
Maybank, 33, of Green Lane, Seaford, went on trial at Lewes Crown Court, with the trial starting late last month.
He denied all the offences but a jury convicted him of assault causing ABH and engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.
The jury returned its verdict on Tuesday 11 March at the end of a two-week trial before Judge Martin Huseyin.
He was found not guilty of the three counts of rape.
Maybank was bailed to appear for sentence on Friday 25 April.
Detective Constable Adam Rose said: “Violent and controlling behaviour ruins lives and we will do all we can to protect victims and hold offenders to account.
“The victim in this investigation has shown incredible bravery to report Maybank’s offending and support this process, in the face of his denials, through to conviction.
“Our message to victims of abuse is clear – we are here to help, we will get you to safety and we will do all we can to get the justice you deserve.”
