VIOLENT REAL LIFE
CONTINUED FROM P7
Somehow, Ifound the strength to get to the office. My back was in so much pain, Icould barely walk.
‘We need to call the police now,’ my manager said.
Iknew I couldn’t look back. Nuno was arrested that same day and taken into custody.
I can’t remember what I said to the police, but Iwas still terrified he would come after me.
But the worst part was telling Mum.
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she burst into tears.
I’d saved pictures of all his attacks on my iCloud and with Mum by my side as Ishowed the police, it must have been horrible for her to see.
‘I thought he would come after you,’ I told her. ‘I wanted to protect you.’
Mum just cried and held me. Imoved in with Mum, staying on her sofa, and the first night was horrible.
I’d saved pictures of his attacks
‘We’re not sure if he’ll get bail so we might have to fit an alarm at your mum’s house,’ officers told me.
Luckily, Nuno was held on remand for ayear.
He applied for bail four times and each time it was rejected.
In January last year, Nuno pleaded not guilty –meaning we’d have to go to trial.
Iwas dreading it, but just before the court date in May, he finally changed his plea to guilty.
He admitted to engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
It was arelief knowing I didn’t have to face him in court.
Every day, Iwaited by my phone to hear when his sentencing date was.
And on 5December last year –ayear to the day after he was arrested –Nuno Rodrigues, 28, was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court for three years and given an indefinite restraining order against me. Iwent to the sentencing and read out my victim impact statement.
I couldn’t look at Nuno, but I was told afterwards he wouldn’t stop staring at me.
‘This man is an abusive bully who tried to control and restrict his victim’s life, regularly assaulted her and made constant threats over several months,’ PC Chelsea Clare from Kent Police said. ‘This was an appalling ordeal for awoman who has suffered lasting injuries as ar
