A violent man who abused a woman and punished her for not complying with his demands has been jailed.

Charlie Spice, from Maidstone, entered a relationship with the victim and over a period of time sought to have influence over every aspect of her daily life, including what clothes she was allowed to wear and threatening her if she worked late.

He also interrogated her male friends.

Spice’s actions caused the victim’s health to deteriorate significantly, and after some months she ended the relationship.

Last May, he threatened one of her relatives with a kitchen knife when they went with the vicitm to collect some of her belongings.

In the following month, Spice assaulted one of the victim’s friends in a Maidstone nightclub in an unprovoked but targeted attack, leaving them with a broken jaw.

Spice, of Wallis Avenue, Maidstone, was arrested on June 29 and later charged with coercive and controlling behaviour, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and threatening a person while in possession of a knife.

The 20-year-old pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on Thursday (May 11), was sentenced to two years and two months’ imprisonment.

PC Alex Bagnall said: “Spice is a violent bully who sought to control a woman and used threats if she did not meet his expectations.

“After their relationship ended he went on to target one of her relatives and a friend out of spite.

“The victim has shown enormous courage in ending the relationship and then reporting his appalling behaviour to the police.

“A number of witnesses also bravely came forward to ensure this cowardly individual is now starting a prison sentence.”