Man who dunked his girlfriend's head in pan of hot cooking oil sentenced to 2 years in prison
A man who "tormented" his girlfriend and "subjected her to the most appalling violence, as well as relentless mental anguish", will be spending more than two years behind bars.
Kent Police began their investigation of Freddie McPherson, 21, after they received reports that he continuously abused his girlfriend of nine months between August 2018 and May 2019, according to Metro.
They learned that he had choked her until she was unconscious, beat her with a metal chair, and stamped on her, sometimes in front of a young child. On one occasion, he reportedly dunked her head into a pan of hot cooking oil.
He was found to have taunted the victim daily about her physical appearance and encouraged her to take her life several times. He also would demand to see her phone in "fits of jealous rage" and prevent her from leaving the house so she couldn't seek help.
McPherson, who police said "demonstrated no sense of shame for his actions," pleaded guilty to charges of controlling or coercive behavior in an intimate relationship, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of common assault.
On November 5, he was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars and also given a 10-year restraining order that will prevent him from approaching his victim. Speaking after the verdict, Ian Loft of the West Kent Vulnerable Investigation Team said, "McPherson continuously abused, isolated and tormented his victim during the vast majority of their relationship."
"He has subjected her to the most appalling violence as well as relentless mental anguish, much of which was intended to humiliate and degrade her and which sometimes took place in front of a young child," he continued. "McPherson is an immature and selfish young man who has demonstrated no sense of shame for his actions."
"I would like to thank and commend the victim who has shown great courage to come forward and also reassure anyone who may be in an abusive relationship that we have a dedicated team which works relentlessly to tackle and deter these types of offenses. There is also a range of domestic abuse support services available through our partner agencies, to help keep victims safe."
"They may be feeling frightened, isolated and ashamed but they are not to blame for what is happening. No one should suffer in silence and we encourage them to report offenses."