Man jailed for abuse and humiliation of woman

A man who subjected his former partner to more than eight years of sexual and physical assaults and "systematic humiliation" has been jailed.

Scott Herbert, 57, of Forthampton, Tewkesbury, was sentenced to 10-and-a-half years at Gloucester Crown Court after admitting one count of coercive control and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Herbert was further convicted of one count of rape and one of non-fatal strangulation after trial in October 2025.

In a statement at his sentencing hearing on 5 June, the victim said she had been left "dehumanised" by Herbert's abuse, saying: "I felt like I was a game or a plaything to you and just to take your frustrations out on."

Herbert and the victim met in 2017 when he accidentally crashed into her car, Gloucestershire Police said.

She suffered years of abuse until one of her friends made a report to police in March last year on her behalf.

Herbert was arrested the following day, and the victim agreed to give a video recorded interview to investigators.

On one occasion the court heard Herbert broke her nose, but pressured her into withdrawing a statement made to police, and on another he dragged her across the house by her hair before trying to throw her outside.

In another attack, he punched her repeatedly and strangled her in a hotel room.

The victim estimated she had suffered at least 50 assaults during the relationship, as well as regular threats.

In the final instance in March last year, Herbert raped her after turning up at her house and demanding sex.

In a victim impact statement, she said: "You broke me, mentally, emotionally, physically and sexually.

"You knew this but continued to chip away anyway. You broke my peace of mind and my spirit with your systematic humiliations."

She added: "Nothing that I ever did or chose seemed to be good enough."

"You intimidated me, mocked me and even laughed in my face when you could see the effect your words were having. I felt like I was a game or a plaything to you and just to take your frustrations out on."

Acting Det Srg Jonathan Stokes praised the victim for her bravery, saying: "It takes a lot of strength and courage to put yourself under this level of scrutiny, especially when you have experienced prolonged abuse over a number of years."

He added: "Hopefully now (Herbert) has been sentenced for the offences he committed against her, she can start to focus on the future and starting her life free from abuse and fear."

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