Abuser Jailed After Assaulting Woman In West Sussex

An abuser who choked a woman and assaulted her by the hair has been jailed.

Alexander Chennell, 31, carried out offences between March and May this year.

In one incident he grabbed the victim by her hair and choked her.

In another incident he prevented the victim from leaving a property, then poured boiling water into a fish tank to kill a fish.

Chennell tried to isolate the victim from friends and family, and left her in fear for her safety.

She reported her experience to the police and he was arrested and charged.

At Lewes Crown Court on 17 August he admitted coercive control, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation, criminal damage, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Chennell, of Brookers Road, Billingshurst, was jailed for three years.

He was also put under a restraining order not to contact the victim, which lasts until 2036.

The victim described how Chennell had entered her “sanctuary” and “caused chaos” and said she was tired of making excuses for Chennell’s abusive behaviour.

Speaking after the case, Sergeant Simon Mayer said:

“Chennell abused the victim and left her in fear.

“We take reports of violence against women and girls (VAWG) extremely seriously, and tackling it is a priority for Sussex Police.

“We were determined to get justice for the victim in this case, and Chennell is now serving a custodial sentence.”

More information and support for victims is available on the Safe:Space Sussex website.