A 30-year-old man who repeatedly raped and assaulted a woman has been jailed for 12 years.
Lewys Manley, who lived in Newport, also left the victim fearing she would die after he strangled her on one occasion.
Her screams for help were overheard by people nearby and police were called. He was arrested and charged with several offences following an investigation by Gloucestershire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department.
The court was told how Manley was violent and had assaulted the woman by hitting her with a bottle, and in another incident he pushed his thumbs into her eyes.
He initially denied the offences, but on day two of a trial he admitted to two counts of assault and engaging in controlling behaviour.
A jury at Gloucester Crown Court then unanimously found him guilty of five counts of rape and intentional strangulation.
Manley engaged in controlling behaviour using a range of methods which was done to humiliate and degrade the woman, who lives in Gloucestershire.
One of the counts of rape related to an occasion when Manley refused to wear a condom when the victim had asked him to.
Another was when the victim had consented to vaginal sex, but Manley then violently anally raped her, which resulted in extreme pain and caused her injuries.
On 2 December 2024 he was sentenced to 12 years for each count of rape, 12 months for each count of assault and two and a half years for coercive and controlling behaviour, all to run concurrently. He was not given any credit for the three late guilty pleas.
Manley must serve at least eight years before he may be released on licence and he was given an indefinite restraining order.
Due to the extreme nature of the harm caused by Manley, His Honour Judge Rupert Lowe made an exemption that only a further court order could remove the restraining order he imposed.
The victim was in court to watch Manley get sentenced, and a statement she wrote was read to the court in which she described the moment Manley strangled her.
She said: “When he strangled me on the sofa, I struggled to breathe, then as [he] pulled me up onto my feet by my throat and hair, I could see his eyes, they looked pure evil.
“His pupils were dilated and he was screaming he was going to stab me as he struck my torso in a stabbing motion. I honestly thought Lewys was going to kill me then and there…
“I think my body was in full ‘freeze’, but seconds later I managed to scream for help from the bottom of my lungs and shortly after police arrived. The thought of that morning makes me have panic attacks, which I struggle to control…
“I still live in constant fear of Lewys – the level of violence and his irrational violence when under the influence of drugs is terrifying. I see his face, when he was strangling me… his evil eyes, and I am so scared he will find me and the next time he will kill me.”
Investigating officer Detective Constable Damian Brogan said: “Manley subjected the woman to horrific levels of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. The effect on the victim has been devastating, yet through her courage and bravery she found the strength to speak to police and give evidence in court against Manley, who denied until the very end the worst of his actions.
“The investigation demonstrates that we will utilise all necessary specialist departments across the organisation to convict perpetrators of violence against women.”
Anita Hudson, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service South West, said: “The young woman at the heart of this case was subjected to appalling abuse and the statement she provided to the court clearly set out the lasting impact it has had on her.
“She has shown incredible strength in staying with us all the way through the prosecution to support the case. I hope that she can now rebuild her life knowing that she is safe and that her attacker is behind bars.”
Manley’s defence barrister in mitigation told the court that he was using alcohol and drugs and that his mental health was not very good. Judge Lowe said this did not explain the actions Manley took against the woman.