Royal Marine jailed for abusing former partner

The judge described Deaken as a "coward" and a "bully"

A Royal Marine has been jailed for 26 months after being found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour towards his former partner.

In August, a jury heard how 26-year-old Jayden Deakin, from Norton Fitzwarren in Somerset, physically and psychologically abused his partner over a period of years.

He was described by the judge as a "coward" and a "bully" at his sentencing at Taunton Crown Court after unanimously being found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour.

"The victim in this case demonstrated extraordinary courage in speaking out. It's a testament to her bravery and strength that a unanimous guilty verdict was reached," said investigating officer, Det Cons Eve Tomkinson.

The jury previously cleared Deakin of two counts of rape.

The victim, who is also a serving member of the Royal Navy said that she continues to live with the trauma from their relationship.

In a statement read to the court she said: "Even though the relationship has now been over for almost three years, I still have to live with this trauma for the rest of my life and I've still got the scars on my hand and my arm that I have to look at every single day, they're not going anywhere.

"I want him to know that this behaviour is wrong and that I'm doing all of this to hopefully prevent him putting anyone else through the same trauma that I've had to go through."

The judge also added a restraining order to Deakin's sentence to protect the victim and her mother.

A spokesperson for the Royal Navy said that:

"Unacceptable and criminal behaviour has absolutely no place in our Armed Forces and we are committed to rooting out misconduct wherever we find it.

We commend the bravery of the victim for reporting criminal behaviour which falls well below the high standards of the Royal Navy.

Anyone who is found to have demonstrated behaviour which breaches our high standards can expect to face subsequent action, which for legal reasons remains a private matter."