Man, 36, jailed for seriously assaulting two women
Tobias King, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for more than seven years
A 36-year-old man has been jailed for more than seven years after seriously assaulting two women at hotels in Devon and Dorset.
Tobias King, of no fixed abode, became the subject of a manhunt in 2025 following a serious assault at a hotel in Honiton, where he repeatedly strangled a woman, leaving her unconscious.
King, who has previously lived in Devon and Somerset, was arrested after evading police for nearly two weeks by staying in tents and hotels but was caught using a stolen bank card.
King was remanded in custody and later pleaded guilty to strangulation, false Imprisonment, threats to kill, actual bodily harm and theft.
During the sentencing hearing at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday, 9th September, it was revealed that King had attacked a woman who was staying at a Premier Inn hotel in Honiton in late 2025.
The victim sustianted extensive bruising after being subjected to repeated physical assaults, including strangulation.
In a statement to police, she described how each time she regained consciousness, the assault continued and King stated he ‘had to kill her’ and that he was ‘not going to prison for anyone’.
She added he took her mobile phone and purse before leaving the room and fleeing the hotel in the early hours of the morning at around 3am.
In addition to these charges, King was also convicted for an attack on another woman in Bournemouth back in 2022.
He attacked her in a hotel room in Bournemouth in late 2022. He was said to have put his hands around her neck and squeezed so hard that she couldn’t breathe.
He then attacked her again two weeks later. He threw her on a sofa, hitting her in the head and using both hands to strangle her, causing swelling and bruising.
The following month he sent her social media messages asking her to drop the case against him, as well as sending her sexually explicit videos.
King admitted two counts of intentional strangulation, one count of common assault and one count of sending indecent images to the victim.
King also pleaded guilty to four counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation. The charges related to sending several women unsolicited pictures of his genitals between January and October 2025 using different numbers and social media platforms, despite being told to stop.
A guilty plea was also given for a charge of sending unsolicited sexually explicit images and videos in February 2021 to a woman in Bristol through email and WhatsApp.
For all the offences he was handed an extended sentence for a total of 10 years, of which 88 months is a custodial sentence, and was given an indefinite restraining order against the two strangulation victims.
He was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to notification and reporting rules.
Detective Constable Nathan Ralph, of Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “The victims have shown incredible bravery throughout the investigation, and their commitment to engaging in the criminal justice process has ensured that this dangerous offender will not be able to harm anyone else.
“Violence against women and girls is a priority in our force area, and these convictions exemplify our dedication to apprehending high-risk perpetrators.
“We would urge any persons that have been victims of abuse to talk to us; you will be listened to and taken seriously.”
Detective Sergeant Duncan Sandle, of Avon & Somerset Police, said: “Tobias King is a violent and manipulative offender who is a danger to any woman.
“The victims have shown incredible bravery and resilience, and I hope this outcome helps them with the ongoing recovery process so they can move forward with their lives.
“I also hope this successful conviction sends out a clear message to all those who commit offences of violence and abuse – we will pursue you and you will be held accountable for your crimes.”