Domestic abuser 'devastated' woman's mental health

A domestic abuser who left his partner with "devastating" mental health issues has been jailed for three years and four months.

Kern Rayne, 40, abused and "gaslighted" the woman for more than two and half years and was still yet to accept any responsibility for his actions, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Judge Edward Bindloss said Rayne had "cocaine-fuelled paranoia" and "significant sexual jealousy", with the woman saying she still suffered every day from the affects of the abuse she had been subjected to.

Rayne, from Newcastle, had denied wrongdoing but was found guilty by jurors of using coercive and controlling behaviour.

He domestically abused the woman between January 2023 and September 2025, the court heard.

Rayne had tried to complain it was a "two-way toxic relationship" with "equal blame on both sides", but Bindloss said he rejected the claim with the judge "satisfied" Rayne was the "aggressor".

He found a whole list of events to be proven as fact, including Rayne:

• Throwing a bottle at the woman's head
• Repeatedly punching her
• Pouring coffee and bleach over her
• Damaging her kitchen worktop and car
• Sending multiple messages demanding she prove where she was

The woman told the court the impact on her mental health had been "devastating".

"He told the court he could not remember what happened, I will never forget what he did to me," she said.

She said she struggled "every day" with the affects of his actions.

The woman said she could "never forgive him, adding: "Kern knows what I told the court was true, he has never accepted responsibility for his actions or shown any remorse."

Rayne's actions were "prolonged and persistent", the judge said, with "numerous incidents of violence" and "significant sexual jealousy" as well "cocaine-fuelled paranoia".

He made "completely unfounded" allegations the woman had been unfaithful while also "boasting and taunting [her] about your own sexual affairs," the judge told Rayne.

The abuser lied to and "gaslighted" the woman while also isolating her from family and friends, Bindloss said.

The judge said it was "quite clear" Rayne, an offshore welder, had "failed to take responsibility" for his actions, telling him: "You continue to victim blame, you are a long way away from accepting what you have done."

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