Peterborough man who dragged ex in the sea jailed for 'shocking' abuse

William Fletcher carried out a "shocking campaign of domestic abuse"

A man who dragged his ex-partner into the sea by her hair and subjected her to a "campaign of abuse" has been jailed.

William Fletcher, from Peterborough, physically assaulted and intimidated the woman in a period spanning more than two years.

The 40-year-old, of Medworth, Orton Goldhay, was jailed for 10 months and given a 10-year restraining order.

Police describe the level of domestic abuse as "shocking".

Fletcher had been in a relationship with the victim since February 2021.

In May last year, the victim told him their relationship was over and she was scared of him.

'Threats to kill'

But in the early hours of 3 June he forced his way in to her house.

He assaulted her and threatened to set fire to the house, and stab and kill her if he was arrested, she said.

When he was detained by police, the victim told officers about further assaults.

In July 2022, while on a family holiday in Great Yarmouth, an argument broke out during which he grabbed her by the neck, strangled her and pulled her into the sea by her hair.

In February last year, at the victim's home, he again grabbed her by the neck, strangled her, lifted her off the floor and banged her head against a tiled wall.

During the same month, Fletcher also punched her in the jaw and ribs.

'Shocking campaign of domestic abuse'

On Monday at Cambridge Crown Court, he was jailed for 41 weeks, having pleaded guilty to two counts of assault by beating and one count of criminal damage, and was found guilty of actual bodily harm following an earlier trial.

Two counts of intentional strangulation were ordered to lie on file.

Fletcher had been remanded in prison since June last year for these offences as well breaching his licence conditions.

He was also given a 10-year restraining order.

Det Con Kara Halls said: "This was a shocking campaign of domestic abuse by Fletcher so I am glad he is behind bars.

"Domestic abuse is a force priority and we will do everything we can to support victims and bring prosecutions."