Broadwater man who tried to strangle woman jailed
30-year-old Thomas Taylor was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court.
Thomas Taylor, 30, from Broadwater, has been jailed for four and a half years for offences including intentional strangulation, witness intimidation, and threatening to disclose intimate images of a woman he knew.
Taylor was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on 21st November after being found guilty of intentional strangulation following a trial in September. He admitted the offence of threatening to disclose a private photograph or film in an intimate setting.
The court heard how Taylor had left the victim living in fear, with his actions becoming increasingly volatile and dangerous over time after consuming drugs like cocaine.
The victim came forward to report the offences to Sussex Police, and Taylor was subsequently arrested and charged. While on remand in prison, he continued to try to intimidate her.
The victim said the trauma and fear caused by Taylor continue to have a lasting impact.
“I am still impacted by the trauma he caused and the ongoing fear of what he will do next.”
In sentencing Taylor, the judge highlighted the dangerousness of his behaviour, meaning he will serve the majority of his custodial sentence before being eligible to apply for parole after serving two-thirds. If granted parole, he will remain on licence for an additional three years.
A restraining order has also been imposed, preventing Taylor from contacting the victim until 2040.
Sussex Police have launched a survey aimed at improving their response to incidents of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).
The VAWG survey, which opened on 18th November and runs for five weeks, seeks feedback from women and girls on their perceptions of safety in public spaces.
Detective Superintendent Karrie Bohanna reiterated Sussex Police's commitment to protecting women and girls and praised the results achieved so far.
“Much of our work in this area has been recognised nationally as best practice and we’re getting better outcomes for victims. Every report of violence against women and girls is one too many… The insight we gain from women and girls is incredibly valuable, and we know it takes courage to share.”
Investigator Lucy Davison expressed gratitude to the victim in Taylor’s case for coming forward.
“We take reports of domestic abuse and violence extremely seriously, and we were determined to get justice for the victim in this case. Taylor is a dangerous individual, and this is reflected in the extended sentence passed by the court."