A domestic bully who beat a woman, controlled her movements and physically “examined” her to check she wasn’t having affairs has been jailed for 18 years after we exposed the extent of his offending.
Ryan Watton, from Staple Lodge Road in West Heath, Birmingham, subjected the woman to a catalogue of abuse and coercive control over several years.
But she reached breaking point on 15 January this year following a savage, drunken beating during which he spat in her face, pulled out a clump of hair and almost caused her to pass out in a choke hold.
She contacted us to report the attack and went on to disclose a history of domestic violence and abuse.
Officers from our Public Protection Unit – who are specially trained to support domestic abuse survivors – heard how Watton dictated when she could leave her flat in Weoley Castle and limited her contact with family and friends.
The 34-year-old monitored her social media accounts – often insisting she removed men as friends – and regularly inspected her phone and tablet.
And on the few occasions she was “allowed” out she told how he would demand to examine her intimately, and inspect her underwear, when she returned home in what he claimed was an inspection to check she hadn’t cheated on him.
The shocking behaviour would lead us to charge Watton with sexual assault by penetration.
We arrested him later on 15 January and, in interview, he denied their arguments ever got physical and suggested photographs of the woman’s injuries may have been fake.
He appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on 22 July where he was jailed for 18 years having been found guilty by a jury of assault by beating, coercive control, and sexual assault.
Detective Constable Maria Watts described the case as one of the most shocking she’s ever investigated.