Locations
Sidcup, south-east London
Description
A man who subjected his partner to systematic, sexual, physical, mental, and emotional abuse has been jailed.
Paul Thomas, 49, of Sidcup, Kent was sentenced to 19 years at Croydon Crown Court today (September 22), he was also made subject to Notification Requirements for life and issued with a restraining order.
He was previously found guilty of eight counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, threats to kill, actual bodily harm, and coercive controlling behaviour by the same court in June.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Nichola Buckley said:
“Thomas allowed the victim to believe she was living in a happy relationship until he increasingly coerced her into an ever more submissive role.
“He went on to abuse her mentally, physically and controlled her through fear.
“She submitted to him in bed – this is not consent – she was not free to say no.
“I want to praise the victim for the courage and strength she showed to fully assist the police in obtaining this conviction and ensuring this dangerous man has now been put behind bars.”
Thomas met his widower victim in 2017, preying on her good nature and using his status as a bereaved single dad to emotionally blackmail her.
He then became violent, throwing her down the stairs, pulling her hair, punching her in the stomach, and raping her.
The victim feared him so much she recorded his behaviour which included goading her into arguments, accusing her of cheating, and blaming her for his violent outbursts.
She also photographed her injuries and filmed him as he tried to stop her leaving, all the while he was tracking her phone and threatening her and her family.
The final horrific incident came between the November 7 and 9, 2019 when Thomas went to her home in Penge uninvited to violently and sexually assault her for two days, giving her death threats and strangling her until she passed out - eventually she managed to call police.
Thomas was arrested as he left the address and later charged with multiple offences.
DC Buckley added:
“Thomas is a highly dangerous individual who had been quite rightly jailed for a significant period of time.
“He subjected the victim to significant violence and has shown no remorse for his actions."
She said it was a priority for the Met to stop domestic abuse and sexual assault by putting offenders behind bars, and she encouraged victims to get in contact so specially trained officers can offer advice and support them in getting justice.