Man jailed for 23 years for 'abhorrent' assaults

A man has been jailed after being convicted of a string of "abhorrent" crimes, including punching, kicking and sexually assaulting a woman.

Ben Siddle, 27, of Willow Park, Havant, was found guilty of a number of offences that took place over a two-year period, following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

The court heard that he punched and bit the woman, kicked her while wearing steel toe cap boots when she was on the floor and sent her abusive messages.

Siddle was jailed for 23 years.

He also threw a diffuser at her and poured the contents on to her face, causing it to burn.

The court heard that Siddle sexually assaulted the woman after the attacks and later sent her messages asking her to retract the statement she gave to the police.

He was also handed a restraining order and will be placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

Det Con Gemma Hodgkinson said: "Ben Siddle's behaviour was abhorrent, and his actions left the victim living in fear for more than two years.

"I would like to commend the victim for coming forward to secure justice and to ensure that Siddle is off the streets and unable to treat other women this way.

"The woman was resilient and brave throughout the whole investigation, including the trial, and I hope this significant sentence allows her to try and move forward with her life."