Cambridge man jailed after victim secretly records abuse
He beat and verbally abused his victim for a decade
A man from Cambridge has been jailed after being secretly recorded abusing and threatening his victim.
Craig Watson, 42 from Coldham's Lane, made his victim's life a misery for almost a decade by repeatedly beating and verbally abusing her, Cambridgeshire Police said.
On Monday (29th April) he pleaded guilty to common assault and engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour.
He has been handed a 26 month jail sentence.
"We would strongly urge anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to contact police"
Officers were called to Watson and his victims home following an attack, on 7 December 2023.
Following his arrest, the victim told officers Watson had abused her since 2014 and handed over a series of audio clips she had gathered as part of an escape plan.
They included a recording from that evening’s incident where Watson could be heard threatening to “rip the victim’s head off”, and her screaming in pain while he beat her.
In other audio clips made in the months leading up to his arrest, Watson could be heard admitting to abuse, and that he “should be in a police cell”.
DC Alex Galan-Tarachiu, who investigated, said: “First of all I would like to commend the victim for her bravery and putting her trust in us. I hope the guilty pleas and sentence will help allow her to begin to move on following years of abuse.
“This case highlights that coercive and controlling behaviour is a criminal offence and will not be tolerated. This type of domestic abuse can have a huge impact on victims: they can suffer from the threat and fear of injury, daily intimidation and having every aspect of their life monitored and controlled.
“We would strongly urge anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to contact police or call the national domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.”