Man who 'made partner's life hell' jailed

A man who violently assaulted his partner several times and tried to control her life has been jailed for five years.

Grant Henry, 32, broke his victim's jaw during one of the attacks at a house in Cambridgeshire, and tried to strangle her as she phoned the police.

Sentencing at Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Andrew Hurst said Henry made his victim's "life hell and nearly broke her as a human being".

Police commended the victim's "bravery in coming forward".

Cambridgeshire Police said Henry, of no fixed address, became possessing and controlling about a month into the relationship in 2023.

Investigators said he checked up on where she was and how she was using her phone, and controlled the clothes and make-up she wore.

Over time, he also became violent and committed what the police described as a series of assaults, including an incident in which he broke into her home and attacked her "in a jealous rage".

On 3 August 2024, Henry attacked her again when they returned home from a day out together, punching and strangling her as she tried to phone the police.

He was arrested and remanded by the police, but released on court bail.

He ignored a bail condition which stopped him contacting his victim, and sent her threatening messages, voicemails and emails.

On 27 August, he turned up at his partner's house and punched her so hard in the face that she had to have surgery for a broken jaw.

The victim spoke to a police officer after the attack and Henry was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and grievous bodily harm without intent at an earlier hearing.

He was also given an indefinite restraining order.

Det Con Frankie Enticknap said: "I commend [the victim] for her bravery in coming forwards despite numerous setbacks and I hope this sentence will allow her to begin to move forward into a bright future with her family, which she deserves."

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