A Seaford man, Mitchell Maybank, has been convicted of assaulting and controlling a woman over several years, following a trial at Lewes Crown Court.
Maybank, 33, of no fixed address, was found guilty of coercive and controlling behaviour and causing actual bodily harm in relation to a woman in her 30s. The offences took place between 2017 and 2020, during which Maybank sought to control many aspects of the victim’s life and subjected her to repeated physical and psychological abuse. The abuse included violent assaults that, on some occasions, caused the victim to lose consciousness.
In addition, the victim reported being raped by Maybank three times in 2020. She came forward to police in March 2021, leading to Maybank’s arrest and subsequent charges of three counts of rape, coercive and controlling behaviour, and causing actual bodily harm. While he denied all the offences, he was convicted on Tuesday, March 11, of coercive and controlling behaviour and causing actual bodily harm. He was, however, found not guilty of the three counts of rape.
Maybank is due to be sentenced at a court to be confirmed on Friday, April 25.
Detective Constable Adam Rose, who led the investigation, praised the victim’s courage in coming forward and seeing the case through to conviction. He said: “Violent and controlling behaviour ruins lives, and we will do all we can to protect victims and hold offenders to account.
“The victim in this investigation has shown incredible bravery to report Maybank’s offending and support this process, in the face of his denials, through to conviction.
“Our message to victims of abuse is clear – we are here to help, we will get you to safety and we will do all we can to get the justice you deserve.”
Sussex Police offers a range of discreet reporting methods for victims of domestic abuse. For more information, visit Advice about domestic abuse | Sussex Police.
