Tunbridge Wells Domestic Abuse Case: Man Jailed for Life After Brutal Attacks With Hammer and Bike Lock
A violent and controlling man who left his partner barely able to speak or walk after a campaign of torture has been sentenced to life imprisonment following a harrowing domestic abuse case near Tunbridge Wells.
Ozgur Suyolcu, 30, of no fixed address, repeatedly beat his partner using a range of weapons, including a hammer, a bike lock, and even a clothes steamer. The victim sustained catastrophic injuries over a prolonged period of abuse that lasted nearly a year.
Police Intervention After Distressed 999 Call
The abuse came to light on 13 April 2024, when police responded to a distressed emergency call from a woman who feared she was dying. On arrival at the flat, Suyolcu falsely claimed that his partner had been “attacked by drug dealers” and refused medical help on her behalf.
Inside the bedroom, officers found the woman immobile and struggling to breathe. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors discovered she had suffered:
-
Fractures to her jaw, ribs, shoulders, and spine
-
Two collapsed lungs
-
Extensive bruising and bite marks
-
Burns from a clothes steamer
-
Evidence of historic internal bleeding
A hammer, used in the most recent assaults, was later recovered from behind a chest of drawers.
Pattern of Abuse and Coercion
Detectives from Kent Police uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse. The victim had been isolated from her family, manipulated, and forbidden from outside contact. Suyolcu subjected her to frequent beatings, escalating in intensity, often for no apparent reason.
The most recent attacks saw him strike her repeatedly with a hammer and bike lock, leaving her with devastating injuries that required prolonged hospital treatment.
Court Proceedings and Sentence
At Maidstone Crown Court, Suyolcu pleaded guilty to:
-
Causing grievous bodily harm with intent
An additional attempted murder charge was left to lie on file. On Friday 13 June 2025, he was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 13 years (minus time already served on remand). He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing contact with the victim.
Police Statement
Detective Constable Emily Hill praised the victim’s bravery:
“The sheer brutality of Suyolcu’s actions was horrifying. He regularly beat her and escalated to savage violence with a hammer. It is thanks to her extraordinary courage that she survived and was able to get help.
“She has shown incredible resilience and I hope this sentence brings her some sense of closure and safety. We urge anyone suffering domestic abuse to come forward. Help is available, and you are not alone.”
Support Available
Kent Police continues to work with domestic abuse charities and victim support services across the county. Victims are encouraged to contact 999 in an emergency, or seek help from organisations like Refuge, Women’s Aid, or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline.
