Folkestone Man Locked Up for Five Years Over Brutal Abuse
A Folkestone man has been slammed with a five-year prison sentence for relentless coercive and controlling behaviour, alongside multiple assaults and criminal damage.
Lance Colston’s Abuse Unmasked
Lance Colston, 34, from Marine Parade, denied all charges, claiming his victim’s injuries were from “play fighting” or a bike accident. But after a four-day trial at Canterbury Crown Court, he was convicted of six offences: coercive and controlling behaviour, three assaults, and two counts of criminal damage.
Recorder Edmund Burge didn’t buy Colston’s excuses and sentenced him on July 6, 2018.
Victim’s Harrowing Account of Violence
- October 2017: Colston head-butts his former partner, slamming her against a wall.
- 24 October 2017: He strangles her, pins her to a wall, head-butts her again, smashes kitchen dishes, breaks her phone, and punches her in the face.
- 10 November 2017: After demanding money transfers, he violently kicks and punches her as she curls up on a sofa—leaving extensive bruises.
The battered victim finally escaped to Folkestone Police Station on 13 November to report the attacks.
Home Vandalised After Police Report
When she returned home, the damage was shocking: broken bannisters, shattered glass, smashed TVs and gaming consoles, and an oil-like substance daubed on plug sockets.
Police Speak Out Against Domestic Abuse
“Colston became increasingly paranoid, jealous, and abusive,” said investigating officer PC Jamie Schofield. “He controlled her every move, checked her texts, dictated what she wore, and forced money transfers into his account.”
“Despite admitting jealousy, he denied all abuse and blamed injuries on innocent accidents. He couldn’t explain the deliberate damage to the home.”
“Victims often feel scared and isolated but must know they aren’t to blame and should speak out,” PC Schofield added. “Colston’s jail term sends a clear message: domestic abuse will not be tolerated.”
