George de Bathe, a 25-year-old man from North Mead in Chichester, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for a series of violent and abusive acts against five women. The offences, which occurred between 2015 and 2019, involved physical assaults, sexual violence, and coercive controlling behaviour. De Bathe targeted women who were in their mid to late teens at the time, now in their 20s, during separate relationships where he exerted extreme dominance over their lives.
The abuse was multifaceted, encompassing psychological manipulation, physical violence, and sexual offences. De Bathe controlled the victims' social interactions, dictating who they could see and when, as well as restricting their clothing choices. He employed threats, including wielding a knife, and carried out assaults so severe that some victims lost consciousness. Additional tactics included preventing victims from attending work, tracking their movements via mobile phones, and locking them in his car during dangerous driving episodes. Four of the five victims reported being raped or sexually assaulted by de Bathe, with some incidents occurring on multiple occasions.
The investigation began in April 2018 when one victim reported to Sussex Police that she had endured months of abuse from de Bathe. She reached out to other women associated with him, uncovering similar patterns of behaviour. This led to de Bathe's arrest and bail under strict conditions. Sussex Police subsequently identified four additional victims through diligent enquiries. In January 2024, following a complex probe, de Bathe faced charges including six counts of rape, eight counts of actual bodily harm, five counts of coercive and controlling behaviour, two counts of sexual assault, two counts of false imprisonment, and one count of making threats to kill.
At Portsmouth Crown Court, de Bathe stood trial and was found guilty on Tuesday, 29 April 2024, of all charges except one count of actual bodily harm. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing. On Friday, 11 July 2025, HHJ Ashworth imposed the 22-year sentence, with 17 years to be served in custody. The judge described de Bathe's behaviour as 'callous, cold and calculating', labelling him a dangerous offender with little remorse. The court heard profound victim impact statements highlighting the lasting trauma inflicted.
- One victim stated: 'Before [I met] de Bathe, I was fiercely independent - bright, outgoing, and full of life... All of that was slowly and deliberately torn down.' She described how the emotional abuse eroded her confidence and identity.
- Another said: 'If I did not walk into that police station for a restraining order, I wholeheartedly believe that George de Bathe would have eventually murdered me.' She detailed the indoctrination and disconnection caused by the abuse.
- A third reflected: 'He killed the happy go-lucky [name], and replaced her with a scared, isolated girl who to this day finds it extremely hard to trust people.' She credited her recovery to family, therapy, and determination.
- The fourth noted: 'Having to carry this trauma... has been the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, but I know that it will have been worth it if it means that George is stopped.' She praised her younger self's courage in reporting the crimes.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Cobbett of Sussex Police commended the victims' bravery, stating: 'These brave women suffered horrific ordeals... but have shown incredible strength to report his crimes and help bring him to justice.' The case underscores Sussex Police's commitment to tackling domestic abuse, including through Clare's Law disclosures. Source: Sussex Police official news release, published 11 July 2025.