A controlling boyfriend who punished his lover by making her stand in the corner in her own home has been jailed for four years.

Bully Joshua Hamilton, 24, also used his belt to whip the back of his victim's legs in what the judge branded "gratuitous degradation".

Now, Hamilton, of Rankine Road, Tunbridge Wells, has been jailed and given a 10-year ban not to contact his ex-lover "by any means".

Before he was sentenced he tried to justify his behaviour, which included grabbing his victim by the throat and slamming her against a wall, by claiming he had been in a "toxic relationship".

But Judge Robert Lazarus told him: "This was gratuitous degradation of your victim. In a letter you wrote to me you blamed your conduct, to an extent, on a toxic relationship.

"However, many many people live in toxic relationships but don't demonstrate this particularly awful level of violence."

Maidstone Crown Court heard how in November 2020 Hamilton had been drinking when an argument broke out between the two.

"You made her stand in the corner of her apartment and face the wall while others were present..."

The judge told him: "You slapped her with an open palm in her head and left her with bruises to her face and leg.

"Then you made her stand in the corner of her apartment and face the wall – when others were present."

Hamilton then grabbed his victim around the throat and pinned her to the wall "with such force she struggled to breath".

The court heard that he later began shouting while outside that he was going to kill her before ripping off one of the door handles and windscreen wipers to her car.

Hamilton was arrested after the three-hour ordeal ended but released on police bail – after being ordered to stay away from his ex.

But on December 11 he sent more than 30 text messages making threats against her mother, grandmother and a police officer.

The court heard how he also threatened to have the victim's child taken away and Hamilton added he was going to kill her and "ruin her life while laughing".

He was again arrested but once again freed on court bail and again told to stay away.

But in January 2021 Hamilton went to his victim's home, let himself in and struck her in the head and kicked her.

The judge said: "You then took off your belt and proceeded to beat her across her legs, leaving more bruising. You then squeezed her throat tightly causing her to lose her breath.

"You then chased her out of the property before grabbing her head and striking it against a nearby car, telling her he would get friends to beat her up if she called the police."

The victim would later tell officers of feeling unsafe and unable to sleep, adding: "My anxiety was through the roof."

Hamilton admitted the assaults, causing criminal damage and sending threatening messages.

Commenting after the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Steve Mclean, of the West Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: "Hamilton relentlessly abused, isolated and tormented his victim.

"He has subjected her to the most appalling violence and his abhorrent actions were clearly intended to control, humiliate and degrade a woman who was put in constant fear for her life.

"I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation or relationship to report it to someone and get help."

"I would like to thank and commend the victim, who has endured an incredibly distressing ordeal, but who thankfully has summoned the courage and strength to give evidence and ensure Hamilton has now faced justice and is rightfully serving a prison sentence.

"Domestic violence is a priority for Kent Police and nobody should ever feel they have nowhere to turn.

"I would encourage anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation or relationship to report it to someone and get help.

"There is a range of support and information available, just phone us or ask a trusted friend or relative to do it.

"Nobody should ever feel they don’t have the option to walk away or get help."