Ben Siddle jailed for 23 years for violent and sexual offences in Havant

Ben Siddle, 27, of Havant, was sentenced to 23 years at Portsmouth Crown Court for a string of violent and sexual offences against a woman over two years.

Havant man sentenced to 23 years for two-year campaign of violence and sexual assault

A 27-year-old man from Havant has been jailed for 23 years after being convicted of a series of violent and sexual offences against a woman, bbc.co.uk reports.

Ben Siddle, of Willow Park, Havant, was found guilty of multiple offences following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. The crimes took place over a two-year period and included punching, biting and kicking the victim while wearing steel toe cap boots as she lay on the floor.

Siddle also threw a diffuser at the woman and poured its contents onto her face, causing burns. He sexually assaulted her following the physical attacks and subsequently sent her abusive messages, as well as messages attempting to persuade her to retract her statement to police.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Siddle was handed a restraining order and placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Gemma Hodgkinson of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary said: "Ben Siddle's behaviour was abhorrent, and his actions left the victim living in fear for more than two years."

Hodgkinson praised the victim for coming forward. "I would like to commend the victim for coming forward to secure justice and to ensure that Siddle is off the streets and unable to treat other women this way," she said. "The woman was resilient and brave throughout the whole investigation, including the trial, and I hope this significant sentence allows her to try and move forward with her life."

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)