Brave victim sees abuser jailed after coming forward
A brave victim who was repeatedly abused by a man over an 11-year period has helped put the perpetrator behind bars.
Adam Edward Eric Curtis, aged 39 and of Poole, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years after he was found guilty at trial of offences of controlling and coercive behaviour, sexual assault by penetration and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Curtis was arrested by police after his victim disclosed to police his series of abusive behaviour over a number of years, with the defendant threatening to damage personal items to upset her, controlling her movements and taking her mobile phone so she could not call the police. He would also lock her inside her address, threaten her with weapons including knives and lighters as well as phoning her repeatedly when she went out without him and threatening to kill her dogs.
He was also physically violent towards her, on one occasion stomping, kicking and punching her repeatedly, while he also sexually assaulted her.
Following the disclosure to police, detectives worked to compile evidence of Curtis’ offending and, with the support of the victim giving evidence at trial, he was found guilty of all three charges.
Curtis was jailed following a sentencing hearing at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday 1 September 2026 and was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.
Detective Constable Jack Gibson, of BCP CID, said: “I do not for a moment underestimate the strength it would have taken for this victim to come forward and report the campaign of controlling behaviour, violence and sexual abuse she was subjected to at the hands of this defendant.
“She has shown immense courage to come forward and disclose these offences, as well as to support our subsequent investigation and the court process.
“I hope that her bravery will inspire other victims of abuse to find the strength to come forward and report offending to us, with this case demonstrating that we will do everything we can to support victims and bring offenders to justice, even when the offending behaviour goes back a number of years.”
If you have been a victim of abuse or you know someone who is being abused, please report it to Dorset Police, this can be done in confidence. If abuse is in progress and someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise, please contact us via the Dorset Police website or by calling 101.
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