A domestic abuser has been sentenced to prison for threats and lifelong assaults on his partner. Martin Creed, 33, was jailed after admitting to a series of abusive behaviors towards the mother of his three children. The incidents occurred over an extended period at Shurland Holiday Park on Sheppey.
Details of the Abusive Behavior
The court proceedings at Maidstone Crown Court revealed a disturbing account of Creed’s actions. Between 2017 and 2020, he isolated his partner, which led to her family fearing for her safety. In a chance encounter on May 9, 2020, the victim was located by her father and brother after they had been searching for her due to prolonged lack of contact.
Threats and Violence
- On May 11, after the victim agreed to meet her mother, Creed reacted with violent threats.
- He threatened to kill her and set fire to both the caravan and her family home.
- The violent incident involved Creed dragging her by the hair, slapping her, and assaulting her in front of their three children.
- The children, aged six, four, and one, were present during the attack and witnessed the trauma.
After fleeing the caravan with no shoes, the victim ran nearly three miles to her brother’s house, where police were called, leading to Creed’s arrest. However, he violated bail conditions shortly after release, resulting in his re-arrest.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Creed faced multiple charges, including assault and stalking involving serious alarm or distress. At his trial, he admitted to the charges, which included threats to kill, while additional charges related to controlling behavior were left on file.
Judge Robert Lazarus sentenced him to two years and two months in prison. He will serve 40% of his sentence, equating to about 26 days remaining until release. A restraining order was also imposed, preventing Creed from contacting the victim and her family indefinitely.
Victim’s Impact
The victim’s impact statement was read in court, highlighting years of emotional and physical trauma. She expressed the difficulty of recovering from the abuse and the profound effect it had on her and her children. Her father criticized the justice system, stating that the sentence did not reflect the severity of the crimes committed against his daughter and grandchildren.
Future Considerations
The victim’s family is now focusing on recovery despite the challenges. They are seeking private therapy for her and the children to help them heal from the trauma inflicted by Creed’s actions. The victim’s father emphasized the need for awareness about such abusive behaviors to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
