Brighton Man Jailed for 32 Months After Years of Savage Domestic Abuse
Shaun Kent, 31, from Sandhurst Road, Brighton, has been sentenced to 32 months behind bars for subjecting a woman to relentless domestic abuse and controlling behaviour over four years. The bricklayer horrified his victim, Darcy, with psychological torment and violent attacks that wrecked her life.
Controlling Every Aspect of Her Life
Kent deleted Darcy’s social media accounts and stalked her, crashing social events uninvited and threatening her with violence. He even tracked her movements, showing up at secret locations she never told him about. When physically apart, he overwhelmed her with constant calls and texts to isolate her from men — including members of her own family.
Victim Speaks Out in Court
In a heart-wrenching victim impact statement read aloud in court, Darcy revealed how Kent “completely destroyed my self-worth,” severing her ties with friends, tearing apart her family, and leaving her unemployed and alone. The abuse combined psychological cruelty with physical violence — targeting her surgery scars as they healed, leaving lasting injuries.
Busted for Bail Breach and Harassment
Kent was arrested in February 2019 but brazenly breached bail by impersonating one of Darcy’s friends to manipulate her into dropping charges. When Darcy turned up for a meeting, she caught Kent himself behind the wheel. He was charged with coercive control, actual bodily harm, intimidations, sexual assault, and assault by beating.
On March 17 at Lewes Crown Court, Kent admitted guilt on all charges except sexual assault, which remains on file. The court slapped him with a restraining order.
“Darcy’s bravery in facing her abuser in court and helping bring him to justice is nothing short of amazing,” said Investigations Supervisor Sharon Rintoul. “This case shows the devastating toll domestic abuse takes on victims and their families.”
