Man from Solihull who abused teenage girl is jailed

Kyle Pugh has been sentenced to 13 years behind bars

Author: Claire EmmsPublished 11th Jul 2022

A domestic abuser who repeatedly raped and abused a teenage girl has been jailed after police uncovered a catalogue of violent outbursts.

Kyle Pugh subjected the girl, now aged 18, to four years of coercive control, and physical and sexual assaults.

Throughout the relationship he was controlling towards her and would dictate what she wore and not allow her to wear makeup. He also assaulted her on a regular basis by pulling her hair and biting her.

The 19-year-old lashed out at the girl on numerous occasions having accused her, without evidence, of cheating with other men.

On one occasion he hit her with a vacuum pole to her legs, another time he hit her with a games controller. He also punched her in the face after she received a friend request from a man on social media.

Friends and family noticed injuries on the girl, including bruises and on one occasion a black eye, but she told them she had head-butted a lamppost and claimed to be clumsy in an attempt to hide her injuries.

Pugh stopped the girl from reporting the abuse, creating an environment of fear and even threatening to kill her, once telling her: "You think you will come out of this alive?".

He would continually check the girl’s phone and social media accounts. The aggressive scrutiny and control made her fearful to seek help.

However the girl built up the courage to report the ordeal after she ended the relationship with Pugh and bravely came forward to officers in December 2021.

The Child Abuse Investigation Team immediately began making inquiries and specially trained officers from the Public Protection Unit supported the girl through the investigation.

Pugh, of Chelmsley Wood, was jailed for 13 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday (8 July) after being found guilty of three counts of rape, sexual assault, making a threat to kill and coercive control.

He was also found guilty of two counts of actual bodily harm and putting a person in fear of violence by harassment.

Detective Constable Laura Rogers, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, said: “Pugh’s cruelty and controlling behaviour is inexcusable. He isolated the girl from her family and friends, and caused her to doubt her own mind during his years of abuse.

“When he raped her, she made it absolutely clear she was not consenting, but he persevered nonetheless.

“There are no excuses or grey areas when it comes to rape - if someone says no, then it is a criminal offence and our officers will persevere in bringing offenders to justice.

“Despite him tormenting and terrifying her, the girl has shown immense bravery in coming forward and supporting this prosecution. It’s thanks to her incredible courage that Pugh has received the punishment he richly deserves.”

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