Kentish Express Ashford & District
‘He beat me and forced me into prostitution’
An abuser who forced his former partner into prostitution, beat her and threatened to flush her dog down the toilet has been jailed.
Matthew Case, of Samuel Peto Way, Ashford, punched her in the face after she refused to become an escort, then set up a web page advertising her services against her will.
A judge branded it “the worst sort of control one can imagine” before handing down a 26 month prison sentence at Canterbury Crown Court.
The 38-year-old pleaded guilty to controlling or coercive behaviour and causing actual bodily harm moments before his trial.
Aviation worker Case’s actions formed part of a four year campaign of physical and emotional abuse, prosecutors explained.
On one occasion Case threatened to flush her sausage dog down the toilet after attacking her with a makeshift flamethrower, forcing her to leap out the way.
He then throttled her and held a blade to her throat before falling asleep next to her.
In one attack, after convincing her to leave a safe-house for a trip to Butlins in Skegness, Case punched and kicked her body and head.
After drinking alcohol Case dragged her out of bed, punched and kicked her in the stomach and head and pulled her onto the landing floor.
Nina Ellin, prosecuting, continued: “He took her into another room, held onto her throughout the night in bed and took her phone off her.
“She covered her face in makeup and covered her bruised face with her hair.”
Case would subject her to telephone checks, dictate how she dressed, and “bombard” her with calls and texts, Ms Ellin added.
And moments after smashing her phone up Case tried convincing her of having caused the damage.
At Christmas, Case “repeatedly punched her in the face,” and then told his victim he was “acting in self-defence,” Ms Ellin explained.
Then during two weeks in March as she sought to distance herself, he would send 243 texts, 127 phone calls and appear at locations she frequented.
When she eventually reported Case to the police he claimed his behaviour was “not obsessive” and their “relationship romantic,” Ms Ellin said.
“In short, he denied the substance of the allegations,” she continued. Case’s abuse would often unfold after he drank alcohol, the court heard.
Last Tuesday, he admitted the abuse “on a full facts basis” moments before jurors were sworn. Last Wednesday, his victim told of her inner conflict, sometimes wishing Case could feel her pain, then preferring that nobody should suffer as she has.
“I don’t think I will be able to have a nice normal relationship with anyone. I wouldn’t know a normal relationship if it was right in front of me.
“Sometimes I wish you could go through the pain, fear, struggle and hopelessness you have put me through for many years, but then I realise I don’t want anyone else to go through it,” she said.
“When you finally feel guilty and want to say sorry I will be long gone from your life. But I will forgive you, I will forgive you because I want to be free.”
Case, wearing a light coloured suit and black covid mask, appeared passive as the statement was read.
His lawyer Paul Simon argued Case was of previous good character and will return to his job in the aviation industry on release from HMP Lewes.
“(Custody) was a wake up call if there ever was one. He came to realise how toxic his behaviour was, he has come to realise that.
“He has moved on, he has accepted his guilt, he has come to accept just how inappropriate his behaviour was,” he added.
Case was also handed a lifelong restraining order. Then 10 months already served on remand will be deducted from his overall sentence.