A tragic Dartford mum-of-two has been cheated of justice after suffering at the hands of a jealous boyfriend who stole her money before beating her unconscious.

Gemma Robinson, 34, took her own life before seeing her bullying lover Joseph Falconer jailed.

Gemma's dad Tony and sister Kirsty reflect on Falconer's sentencing

The fitness instructor had tried to escape his clutches but he discovered her address in Dartford and tracked her down.

Maidstone Crown Court heard their four-year relationship had been "volatile" and in January 2019 she was pictured looking "healthy and happy".

But prosecutor Viv Walters said that by November, 34-year-old Falconer wormed his way back into her life after threatening to kill himself.

She said that Falconer, who claimed to have served with the Paras before joining the French Foreign Legion, became violent when he began drinking and was controlling if she went out.

In February 2019, after the end of the relationship, he was convicted for battery and criminal damage and received a community order.

Later he contacted his victim telling her he was sorry for what he had done and began threatening to take his life.

Gemma was so concerned she took pity on him and in June or July he turned up unannounced at her home in Burnham Crescent, Dartford and she let him in.

He accessed her bank and emptied her account of £500 and used it to gamble.

Then in October he turned up again saying he was homeless, had PTSD and now wanted to address his problems.

The prosecutor added: "Again Gemma felt sorry for him and allowed him to stay on her sofa. He paid no rent and she bought all his food.

"His behaviour became increasingly controlling and he began questioning Gemma about where she was going and who she intended to see."

Then on November 20 he sent her 70 messages demanding to know where she was.

The following day, after she returned home, the ex-squaddie called her a "dirty ****" and accused her of sleeping with another man.

Then he savagely attacked her, grabbing her around the throat so she struggled to breath, fracturing her eye socket and leaving her with bruises all over her body and then added insult to injury by spitting on her.

Gemma revealed she was so frightened she hid behind a toilet to escape the blows - and discovered her TV had been smashed and £300 worth of damage done.

Just eight months later - and before Falconer could be sentenced for causing grievous bodily harm - Gemma's body was discovered and an inquest ruled she had taken her own life.

And it would be another seven months before he was jailed for three years and four months for the brutal attack, fraud and casing criminal damage.

The judge told him he was a "dangerous, jealous and controlling" man but Gemma's tragic death could not influence the sentence.

Falconer, of Norfolk Drive, St Leonards, admitted all three charges but a more serious charge of causing grievous harm with intent - which carries stiffer sentences - was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Her father Tony Robinson took photographs of his daughter to court to watch the sentencing hearing - not knowing Falconer would only appear by prison video link.

Mr Robinson said later: "We will be appealing this sentence. He may have never been charged with causing her death but her family know she took her own life to escape the nightmare in which she was trapped."

Her two children, aged 14 and 10, are now being raised by her former husband.

The judge, Recorder Matthew McDonagh told him that the attack had a "dramatic effect" on his victim, who had been "vulnerable and at your mercy".

Gemma's sister, Kirsty said: "We are very disappointed with the sentence. This isn't justice. He will be out in a matter of months. This cannot be right."

To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford