Sentenced to two and a half years

A Maidstone man has been jailed after repeatedly beating and tormenting his partner throughout a lengthy campaign of abuse.

Alex Buckwell used fear and violence to control his victim’s everyday movements, restricting and monitoring her phone use and dictating what clothes she was allowed to wear.  

Buckwell subjected the woman to relentless physical and psychological abuse during much of their relationship.

She was repeatedly punched and kicked by Buckwell who would shout insults and accuse her of trying to dress and wear make-up for other men. 

He made the victim shut down her social media accounts and would tell her to block or delete friends on her phone, insisting she used a tracking app on the device so he could always see where she was.

He also prevented her from changing jobs, insisting she used her time and energy for him, and would interfere with and restrict her sleep by waking her at all hours.

Escalating violence

The victim wasn't allowed to go out without Buckwell and forbidden from talking to other men. He denied her privacy inside her home and would use a coin to open a lock when she in the bathroom.

The violence escalated and on 30 November 2024, whilst in the presence of a child, Buckland repeatedly kicked, strangled and punched the victim and prevented her from leaving her address.

Other incidents included Buckwell travelling in a car with the victim and deliberately driving towards oncoming traffic, as well as an assault when he dragged her back into a vehicle by her hair after she had attempted to run to safety.

Buckwell also damaged property including a mirror, TV, fridge and the victim’s phone, and continued to torment her even after they separated, bombarding her with phone calls from withheld numbers.

Justice served

The abuse was reported to Kent Police on 31 January 2025 and Buckwell 33, of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone was arrested days later. 

At Maidstone Crown Court he pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour (between February and November 2024) and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

On Tuesday 17 June, Buckwell was sentenced to two years and five months’ imprisonment.

Detective Constable Frazer Meeks said:

‘Offenders like Alex Buckwell are cowardly bullies who make their victim’s lives an absolute misery. Buckwell used fear and violence to exert control over almost every aspect of this woman’s life and subjected her to relentless physical and mental abuse. ‘We are grateful she has shown tremendous courage standing up to her abuser and working with us secure this important conviction. I hope this case will encourage other victims of domestic abuse to come forward. Please don’t be scared to call us or ask a trusted friend or relative to do it. ‘Nobody should feel they don’t have the option to walk away from domestic abuse, no matter how minor they may think it is. My colleagues and I will always take every allegation seriously.’

Source: Kent Police