Man jailed after holding ex-partner captive in her home

Tomas Dunka held his former partner captive for five hours, police said

A man who held his former partner captive in her home for five hours has been jailed for 28 months.

Tomas Dunka, 35, repeatedly stopped his victim from leaving her former home in Skipton Circus, Nottingham, on 30 June.

When she tried to get her phone to call for help, Dunka snatched it, smashed it, and threw it at her face.

Nottinghamshire Police said she managed to escape via the back door and climbed a fence before getting in her car and driving off.

Police were called by a member of the public, who had reported the disturbance.

Dunka was found hiding in the garden. He tried to escape, but was arrested nearby, the force added.

Police said in her impact statement, the victim - who suffered cuts to her arm and a black eye - said she felt her ordeal "was never going to stop".

She added it would take her a long time before she stopped feeling like she had to "look over her shoulder and stop living in fear" of Dunka.

His previous convictions, police said, included multiple offences against the victim, including assault.

'Emotional distress'

He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and breaching a restraining order, which was imposed in November 2022.

Dunka, formerly of Skipton Circus, was jailed when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on 11 January.

He was also made subject of an indefinite restraining order.

Det Con Harry Glass, of Nottinghamshire Police, said the victim had faced a "terrifying ordeal".

He said: "While she wasn't left with serious physical injuries, the emotional distress she suffered was substantial.

"This incident understandably left her feeling scared and she has since had to give up her own home and move as a result of what happened to her.

"I would like to commend her for her bravery during our investigation and I hope the prison sentence and fresh restraining order given to Dunka provide her with some measure of comfort and she can now move forward."