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A drug-crazed brute who beat his girlfriend black and blue and kept her prisoner in a remote cabin for several hours has been locked up for three years.
High on cocaine, Levi Eastwood threatened to kill Martine Read, 18, and dispose of her body in a lake after vowing to “batter her like a dog”.
Judge Philip Statman told the 20-year-old, of Scratton Fields, Sole Street, Meopham: “You treated her shamefully. You are a thug and a bully with scant understanding of how properly a man should behave to a woman within a relationship.”
Eastwood (pictured right) admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, false imprisonment and two common assault charges.
He denied wounding Miss Read’s father Martin with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and making threats to kill and the charges were left on the court file.
Maidstone Crown Court heard Miss Read refused to cooperate with police over the attack because she did not want to be known as a grass in the community.
Eastwood had been involved in violence with Mr Read, stabbing him with scissors. But Eastwood was also injured in the tussle.
"you don’t have long to live. i have brought you here to kill you" – levi eastwood
Peter Alcock, prosecuting, said Eastwood then took his anger out on Miss Read as they walked along Milton Road, Gravesend, in July last year, backhanding her, kicking her and pulling her hair extensions.
A police officer saw them and noted Eastwood had injuries from the earlier incident. He was holding Miss Read tightly and appeared to be biting her. But she told the officer: “It’s OK, he is my boyfriend, leave us alone.”
The PC separated them and Miss Read told him: “He is going to kill me. He always beats me.”
Eastwood was arrested and while on bail Miss Read agreed to meet him. They went to Sole Street railway station and he became angry, punching and kicking her and ripping her hair extensions out.
He took her into a muddy field and told her he was going to bury her in woods. They went to a friend’s house and Eastwood took Miss Read into a workshop and assaulted her until the early hours.
Maidstone Crown Court, where Eastwood was sentenced
He then took her to a cabin by a small lake, where he told her:”This is your new home. You don’t have long to live. I have brought you here to kill you.” Again, he beat her.
She was cold and wet but tried to pacify him by cuddling up to him and telling him she would not leave him. He continually hit her as they walked back to Sole Street. She was crying and distressed.