Dylan Cathrae

A man from Bude, Cornwall, has been imprisoned for a decade following his conviction for a series of severe sexual and abusive offences against a woman. Dylan Cathrae, aged 20 and formerly residing at Swallow Close, Bude, was found guilty by a jury at Truro Crown Court in October after a trial that exposed the depths of his abusive conduct.

The court heard harrowing details of Cathrae's actions, which included raping the victim and committing two counts of assault by penetration. His behaviour extended beyond physical violence to encompass coercive and controlling elements, non-fatal strangulation, and witness intimidation. Cathrae had also previously pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment against a second victim. In addition to these crimes, reports emerged of him behaving in a physically and emotionally abusive manner, including putting cigarettes out on the victim.

During police interviews conducted by Devon & Cornwall Police detectives, Cathrae denied the allegations, claiming the reports of sexual offending were fabricated out of jealousy. When confronted with suggestions that his behaviour was obsessive and controlling, he dismissively responded, '…how’s that a bad thing?'. Despite his denials, the jury unanimously convicted him on all six counts at the October trial.

Sentencing occurred at Truro Crown Court, where the judge described the case as 'one of the worst cases of coercive and controlling behaviour I have seen' and labelled the offending a 'campaign of the most horrific abuse'. Cathrae was jailed for 10 years and received a restraining order against both victims. The primary victim, reading a statement to the court, expressed the profound impact of the crimes, stating they had 'ruined my life'. Investigating officer DC Isla Ferguson from Devon & Cornwall Police commended the victim's courage in reporting the offences and supporting the justice process, noting the sentence as a positive outcome.

This case underscores the severe consequences of domestic and sexual abuse, with Cathrae's actions spanning multiple forms of violation and control, ultimately leading to his lengthy incarceration.