A MAN has been jailed for physically and sexually abusing a woman for more than 17 years.

Gurdawar Singh Chima, 45, from Sidcup, was sentenced to 14 years in prison at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday after he was found guilty of specimen charges of rape and actual bodily harm.Chima subjected his victim to rape, physical assaults and intimidation, leaving her malnourished and weak. The repeated sexual attacks were often preceded by physical beatings as she tried to resist Chima’s will. In 1996 she sought help from a refuge but it was not until last year that she contacted police.

Det Sgt Kam Sodhi, of Bexley police’s public protection unit, who investigated the case, said: “The actions of Chima defy belief. He subjected a vulnerable and isolated woman to a savage and sadistic ordeal, which is one of the most disturbing cases I have investigated.“She has been left with scars and physical injuries that persist to this day as a reminder of his actions. Chima also made her revisit the abuse by pleading not guilty and making her give evidence. There can be no excuse for his actions - no human being deserves to be subjected to such abuse, but she has shown amazing strength to confront him in court.“I hope that now Chima is behind bars his victim can start to rebuild her life away from the fear and violence that have characterised the last 16 years of her life.”