Domestic abuser sentenced to prison for repeated assaults and fraud
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after subjecting a woman to sustained domestic abuse and defrauding multiple victims out of thousands of pounds.
Connor Lockwood, of Godalming, appeared at Chichester Crown Court on Friday, 27 March, where he was sentenced after pleading guilty to a series of serious offences.
These included four counts of assault causing actual bodily harm, two counts of grievous bodily harm, possession of a bladed article, theft, fraud by false representation, and money laundering.
An investigation by Surrey Police began in June 2025 when officers became concerned that Lockwood was physically abusing a woman known to him.
Over the following months, investigators uncovered evidence showing he had repeatedly assaulted her over several years.
The abuse included punching, kicking and stamping on the victim. On one occasion, he extinguished a cigarette on her, leaving a permanent scar.
In another attack, he struck her on the head with a broom handle, causing significant injury. His behaviour left the woman feeling terrified, isolated and fearful for her safety.
In July 2025, Lockwood was arrested after threatening a man with a knife in a pub in Godalming. Officers worked overnight to secure charges for both the domestic abuse offences and the knife-related incident. He was remanded in custody and remained in prison until sentencing.
Alongside the abuse investigation, officers from the force’s Economic Crime Unit uncovered that Lockwood had also carried out a series of frauds using dating apps. He would form relationships with victims before fabricating personal difficulties and asking to borrow money.
In one case, a victim was defrauded of £7,500. The stolen funds were then moved through multiple bank accounts in an attempt to avoid detection.
In a statement, the survivor described the lasting impact of the abuse, saying the physical and emotional harm would stay with her forever. She spoke of ongoing anxiety, flashbacks and a loss of confidence and independence, adding that she continues to struggle with trust and fears for her future relationships.
Detective Constable Carina Jewell, who led the domestic abuse investigation, praised the survivor’s courage in coming forward and said supporting her throughout the process had been a priority.
DC James Vernon added that Lockwood’s actions had a wide-reaching and devastating impact, affecting both the survivor of the abuse and those he defrauded.