Cambridgeshire man jailed after he is secretly recorded abusing woman

Officers said once videos of the abuse were shown, David Barrett agreed his behaviour was unacceptable

A man has been jailed after secret recordings showed evidence of abuse.

David Barrett pleaded guilty to coercive control and two counts of intentional strangulation at Peterborough Crown Court.

Police said in one clip, he threatened to pour boiling water and sugar on a woman's face.

The 40-year-old from Cambridgeshire was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.

Barrett was first reported to police in September. Officers visited the house where he lived and said they established that Barrett attacked a woman after an argument and grabbed her by the neck.

The woman disclosed a history of abuse and reported that he had been verbally abusive and had strangled her on another occasion.

She secretly recorded videos of some of the incidents and took photos of her injuries.

Barrett was arrested and at interview he initially denied all allegations, claiming the only time there was any physical violence was when he had pushed the woman in self-defence, police said.

'Closure'

Officers added that once videos of abuse were shown to him, he agreed his behaviour was unacceptable.

Det Con Andrew Donaldson said: "In one of the videos submitted as evidence in this case, Barrett threatened to pour boiling water and sugar on his partner's face.

"Another video showed Barrett controlled the woman's finances and, in a third recording, Barrett could be heard telling her that no-one would come and save her because nobody cared about her.

"I would like to praise the victim's bravery and hope the sentence gives her some closure from this traumatic period in her life."

He added that abuse was not always physical and victims could suffer from threats, fear of injury, daily intimidation or having every aspect of their life monitored and controlled.