Man jailed for rape and controlling and coercive behaviour

A man who raped and controlled five women over a four-year period has been sentenced to 17 years imprisonment, extended by a further five years. 

George De Bathe, 25, cut the victims off from their family and friends, controlling them in different ways, including taking over their phones and social media, dictating what they wore and ate and who they saw. He would threaten to kill himself and even controlled their sleep, demanding that they constantly replied to his messages throughout the night. 

He would also rape them and subject them to physical attacks. One woman was knocked unconscious on more than one occasion, while another was threatened at knife point before he started to strangle her. Some of the women described fearing that he was going to kill them.

Claire Gallagher from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “George De Bathe’s pressure and manipulation had an appalling impact on the victims in this case and those closest to them, as he carefully cut them off from family and friends. 

“Some victims talked about how De Bathe made them feel belittled and worthless through his callous cruelty and unpredictable and suffocating behaviour, while others described him as extremely dangerous and calculating. 

“He put these women through utterly traumatic experiences, attempting to dictate every part of their lives and leaving them feeling trapped, with many saying they are still affected by him today. 

“By speaking out, the victims helped us to build a strong and compelling case. De Bathe can no longer manipulate or control women and we hope that today’s sentencing allows the victims to rebuild their lives.”