Man who raped and threatened new partner is jailed

Peplow manipulated and threatened a new girlfriend during a month-long relationship

A man who raped and threatened to kill his new girlfriend has been jailed for 10 years and six months.

Hertfordshire Police said during a month-long relationship Joseph Peplow did not allow his partner - who he met online - to have male friends and told her to change "revealing" clothes.

The 26-year-old, from London Road, Sawbridgeworth, had earlier been convicted at St Albans Crown Court of controlling and coercive behaviour, assault by beating, making threats to kill, and three counts of rape.

"The start of this relationship should have been new and exciting, but instead Peplow acted in the most repugnant way and, at times, had his victim fearing for her life," said Det Con Abi Wilkins.

After they had met online, Peplow picked his victim up in his car in January this year, police said.

He drove them to his house, which she had not agreed to. After consensual kissing, Peplow dragged the victim to his bedroom and raped her after she had repeatedly said "no".

On another occasion, police said he raped her while she was half asleep, unresponsive and unable to give consent.

Police said the couple continued to meet "as Peplow asserted his dominance and manipulated her".

He demanded to see her daily and alternated between superficially-kind behaviour -and intimidation.

He threatened to rape her, beat her up, kill her and burn her house down with her in it.

On one occasion, he told her she was lucky he didn’t throw acid in her face.

Peplow also made his partner feel guilty and worried about him - by threatening to harm himself, police said.

The offences took place between 9 January and 9 February 2024.

'Abhorrent actions'

Det Con Abi Wilkins, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Domestic Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (DAISU), said: "Joseph Peplow’s abhorrent actions have had a long-lasting impact on the victim, who continues to try and rebuild her life following this harrowing experience.

"Peplow tried to squeeze any sense of autonomy out of her life by wanting to see her every day, demanding to know where she was going and who she was with."

She praised the victim's "bravery" in reporting the offences and assisting the trial.

"Peplow has received a substantial prison sentence as he poses a dangerous threat to society, and I hope this result allows the victim to move on from this ordeal," she added.

Peplow was sentenced at Luton Crown Court.