Elijah Mochia

A man from Hampshire has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for a series of violent sexual offences against his partner in Alton. Elijah Mochia, aged 31 and of no fixed abode, was found guilty of multiple counts of rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.

The court heard that Mochia's relationship with the victim, a woman in her 20s, was marked by violence and control from an early stage. Over a six-month period, he forced her to sign written contracts dictating her behaviour, physically assaulted her, and raped her on three separate occasions, one of which involved multiple incidents. His abusive actions included putting his hands around her throat, punching her in the ribs, biting her ear, and threatening her with scissors, creating an environment of fear and domination.

Mochia was arrested by officers from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and charged accordingly. Notably, he refused to attend the court proceedings, leading to the trial proceeding in his absence. A jury unanimously convicted him on all counts. On Friday, 28 February 2025, he was sentenced to a total of 18 years' imprisonment, with an extended licence period of eight years. Additionally, Mochia will remain on the sexual offenders register for the rest of his life.

Assistant Detective Sergeant Bethan Hastelow from the Constabulary's CID commented on the case, stating: 'This was a horrifying campaign of violence and controlling behaviour which has had a long-lasting impact on the woman involved. Mochia is a dangerous and manipulative offender and I hope that now he is in prison, she is able to try and move forward and rebuild her life.' The sentencing underscores the police force's commitment to pursuing perpetrators of serious sexual offences robustly.

The case was reported by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary on their official website, highlighting the bravery of the victim in supporting the investigation despite the challenging circumstances.