Woman feared dying when client kept her captive

Gareth Henry was found guilty of two counts of false imprisonment

A man who kept two sex workers captive a month apart has been jailed for six years.

Gareth Henry's first victim feared she was going to be killed when he attacked her in his caravan in February, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

The 34-year-old used his "significant" size and strength advantage to violently overpower her and then, four weeks later, another woman he was seeking sex from, a judge said.

Henry, formerly of Sunderland, had denied two counts of false imprisonment and battery but was convicted by jurors.

Henry, of no fixed abode, contacted both women on a website, Judge Amanda Rippon said.

He met the first on 6 February, picking her up and taking her to his caravan where they took cocaine and had sex, the court heard.

But when the woman said she wanted to go, he refused to let her leave, the judge said.

The woman had requested an Uber and was able to send the driver a message asking for help, with the driver contacting police.

When officers arrived and knocked on the caravan door, Henry pushed the woman against the bed and pinned her down while telling her not to make a noise, the judge said.

The woman said she feared she was not going to get out alive and did not know which was more dangerous, to stay silent or shout for help, the court was told.

Realising Henry was "much bigger and stronger" than her, she tried to "placate and reassure" him, which is what led to him getting off her, Judge Rippon said.

Officers managed to force the caravan door open and pull the woman to safety, with Henry striking one on the head and running away.

The woman also realised Henry had not paid her as he had claimed, the court heard.

Victim fled house

On 5 March, he used the same website to book an appointment with a masseur who also offered sexual services, the court heard.

He went to the house where she worked but became aggressive when she asked him for payment.

She tried to get him out of the house by suggesting they go to a cashpoint, but he rumbled what she was trying to do and pushed her violently back inside, the judge said.

Like his first victim, the woman sought to "placate" him as she realised "that was the best and safest course", the judge said.

She persuaded Henry to go upstairs for sex, then fled the house when he had gone to the bedroom, the court heard.

Judge Rippon said Henry used violence on both occasions to "overpower" the women using his "significant advantage of size and strength".

The judge said he had caused "serious distress" to the first woman who "thought she was going to die".