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Judge praises victim of boyfriend's cruelty

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A jealous man who tortured his girlfriend and held her captive for a week has been jailed for 18 years.

The sadistic 24-year-old was found guilty by a jury at Leicester Crown Court of inflicting grievous bodily harm, three rapes and false imprisonment.

The court heard the victim suffered injuries on every area of her body after being repeatedly beaten with implements and cable.

Unusually, five members of the jury returned to court six weeks after the delivering verdicts, to see the defendant sentenced yesterday.

After seeing the father of her child jailed, the 19-year-old victim said: "It's not over because I still have to live with what happened. But going through the court process has helped me to face up to it."

"I'm now going to concentrate on looking after my daughter and do the best I can."

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "She gave evidence with courage and dignity and I pay tribute to her for that.

"This was all about power and control, domination and humiliation.

"The courts have a duty to protect women from vicious violent partners.

"This happened in her home, over a prolonged period. It was done without any pity or mercy.

"I hope she can move on in her life. She deserves better."

A restraining order banning him from ever contacting her was made.

He will have to enlist on a sex offender register for life.

During the 10-day trial the court heard how the victim, then 18, was whipped with electrical cable, burnt with hair straighteners, punched, kicked and stamped on.

She was tied up, had her hair hacked off with a knife, bleach was poured over head and their baby daughter's soiled nappy was shoved into her face.

The teenager was repeatedly raped in the couple's Leicester home, where she was held captive, between April 8 and 15.

The defendant confiscated her mobile phone so she could not call for help.

Their 22-month-old daughter witnessed some of the violence and was encouraged to "hit mummy" with a pole, as she lay helpless on the floor, tied up and rolled inside a rug.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, denied the allegations.

During the 10-day hearing, he claimed the victim had cheated on him and was beaten up by unknown men.

The victim escaped from the house when the defendant's mother visited, making a dash to a neighbour's for help.

Jonathan Taylor, mitigating, said: "He has no previous convictions and it was out of character. He will now be deprived of seeing his little girl growing up."

Detective Sergeant Emma Matts from Signal, the police's specialist rape investigation team, said: "This victim has been incredibly brave throughout the investigation and court process.

"No one should ever have to suffer an ordeal of this nature. This result has ensured a very dangerous offender is now behind bars."


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