Kyle Pugh subjected the now-18-year-old girl to four years of coercive control as well as physical and sexual assaults.
Throughout the relationship, he was controlling towards her, dictating what she wore and refusing to let her wear makeup. He also regularly assaulted her by pulling her hair and biting her.
The 19-year-old lashed out at the girl on numerous occasions, accusing her of cheating on other men without evidence.
He hit her with a vacuum pole to her legs on one occasion, and a games controller on another. He also punched her in the face after she accepted a friend request on social media from a man.
Friends and family noticed bruises and, on one occasion, a black eye on the girl, but she told them she had head-butted a lamppost and pretended to be clumsy to conceal her injuries.
Pugh discouraged the girl from reporting the abuse by instilling fear in her and even threatening to kill her, telling her once, “You think you’ll come out of this alive?”
He was always checking the girl’s phone and social media accounts. She was afraid to seek help because of the aggressive scrutiny and control.
However, after ending her relationship with Pugh, the girl mustered the courage to report the ordeal and bravely came forward to officers in December 2021.
Pugh, of Chelmsley Wood, was sentenced to 13 years in prison on Friday 8 July at Birmingham Crown Court after being found guilty of three counts of rape, sexual assault, making a threat to kill, and coercive control.
He was also found guilty of two counts of actual bodily harm and harassing someone to make them fearful of violence.
“Pugh’s cruelty and controlling behaviour is inexcusable,” said Detective Constable Laura Rogers of our Child Abuse Investigation Team. During his years of abuse, he isolated the girl from her family and friends and caused her to doubt her own mind. When he raped her, she made it abundantly clear that she was not consenting, but he persisted.
When it comes to rape, there are no excuses or grey areas – if someone says no, it is a criminal offence, and our officers will work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice.
Despite his torment and terror, the girl has shown incredible bravery in coming forward and supporting this prosecution. Pugh has gotten the punishment he deserves because of her incredible bravery.”
