Cheltenham man jailed for abusing woman

42 year-old Antony J Scott, of Mill Lane in Cheltenham, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday.

Author: Harry LongPublished 9th Feb 2024
Last updated 9th Feb 2024

A man from Cheltenham's been jailed after subjecting a woman to years of physical abuse and coercive and controlling behaviour.

42 year-old Antony J Scott, of Mill Lane in Cheltenham, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court on Tuesday and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

The court heard how Scott had subjected the woman to physical and emotional abuse, and coercive and controlling behaviour - he also physically assaulted her on six occasions.

Scott also received a 10 year restraining order which prevents him from making contact with the victim of this case.

A victim impact statement was read aloud in court where the woman detailed the effect of Scott's actions saying: “So much has happened over the course of five years it is simply impossible to put onto paper fully how it has affected me and it simply won’t do it justice.

“However, what I want to say is, my self-esteem and self-worth have vanished. I have been made to feel like I am worthless and my voice has been taken away. I have been left with no other option but to feel like I am the most worthless piece of rubbish that has been trodden all over, repeatedly.

“I have been robbed from all of these basic freedoms a young girl deserves. Social media was deleted, I was checked consistently on who was who and why I was talking to them, isolated from everyone.

“My body image was ripped apart as the torture of emotional abuse grew with various name calling, “you’re a sl*g, a waste of space, you need to lose weight, you look vile”. I started believing what he was calling me was true. My confidence is in pieces."

Investigating officers PS Figgett and PC Hayes jointly added: "This case has been an incredibly complex case, spanning four years. The abuse the victim has suffered at the hands of Scott has been severe, abhorrent, degrading, and intimidating.

"The victim was reduced to a shadow of her former self, gas lighted, assaulted, and belittled. She has shown huge amounts of courage and resilience by stepping forward and giving evidence. As a result of this case, the victim has finally begun to blossom and live a life she used to live prior to the abuse.

"We'd like the public to be assured that Gloucestershire Constabulary will do everything they can in supporting all victims and bringing those responsible to justice.

"We hope this conviction and result encourages those who are trapped in abusive relationships to come forward. Whilst the journey may be long and complex this case shows that it is absolutely worth it.”

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