Ben Siddle 27

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A Hampshire man has been jailed after a violent two-year campaign of abuse against a woman in her twenties.

Ben Siddle, 27, of Willow Park, Havant, was convicted of three counts of assault by penetration, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), two counts of assault by beating, witness intimidation and criminal damage.

He was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 17 April to 18 years’ imprisonment, with a five-year extension period. He was also given a restraining order and placed on the sex offender register indefinitely.

Siddle carried out the offences between August 2021 and October 2023. In the most recent attack in Denmead, he punched and kicked the victim while she was on the floor wearing steel toe cap boots, threw a diffuser at her, bit her arm, grabbed her neck, poured its contents onto her face causing burns, sent abusive messages and threw her phone against the wall, damaging the wall and fireplace. He then sexually assaulted her.

After the attack, he tried to pressure her into withdrawing her police statement by urging her to change her account.

Detective Constable Gemma Hodgkinson of Winchester CID praised the victim’s bravery, saying: 

"Ben Siddle’s behaviour was abhorrent, and his actions left the victim living in fear for more than two years.

"I would like to commend the victim for coming forward to secure justice and to ensure that Siddle is off the streets and unable to treat other women this way.

"The woman was resilient and brave throughout the whole investigation, including the trial, and I hope this significant sentence allows her to try and move forward with her life.

"I hope this also encourages victims of similar offences to report to us and seek support.

"You will be believed and we will always carry out a thorough investigation to ensure offenders face the consequences of their actions."