A controlling bully who kidnapped his long suffering girlfriend off the street has been jailed for three years.

Joe Smith, 24, was convicted in November, despite his victim insisting the abduction did not happen and giving evidence for the defence.

But Smith was caught on CCTV footage and seen by witnesses forcing her into his car as she walked near a leisure centre in Edenbridge, and driving off with her.

Judge Martin Joy said he was bound to conclude the victim refused to cooperate with the police because she was extremely frightened and could be in an ongoing relationship.

Prosecutor Bridget Todd said the victim was near the leisure centre on May 31 when a witness saw Smith, of Wellingtonia Way, Edenbridge, stop and order her: “Get in the car.”

She refused and he drove away. But he returned and forcibly walked her towards his car and drove off with her.

“This was a violent act on her against her will,” said Miss Todd. “It is not clear how long she was held for.”

Miss Todd did not apply for a restraining order, saying there was a risk it would be breached on Smith’s release from prison.

But Judge Joy imposed an indefinite restraining order after branding Smith a danger to the victim.

He told Smith: “What is plain is you were behaving in a violent and controlling way and manipulating her against her will. She was detained against her will.

“An unusual feature of this case is the victim gives evidence not for the prosecution, but for the defence. She didn’t want the matter to proceed and there was no doubt she was under pressure.

“Somebody must have created that pressure. She denied she was kidnapped. She clearly is frightened. There is a background of domestic violence. She was reporting domestic abuse when she was pregnant.

“What is plain is the police have been involved many times. She has never given evidence against you, and you are confident she never will.

“The court has to be very realistic about this background. She is terrified of you. I take the view this woman is in danger from you. An assurance the relationship is over is simply not worthy of being accepted.”

After sentencing, Detective Constable Sarah Jacobs said: "Smith put his victim through a quite terrifying ordeal and he has shown himself to be a real danger to women.

"He has also caused considerable distress to those who witnessed his actions.

"This offence took place close to a leisure centre where members of the public were enjoying time with their families, many of who will have seen his appalling behaviour towards this woman."