A man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for domestically abusing his girlfriend, who had been too frightened to tell police of her ordeal.

A man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison for domestically abusing his girlfriend, who had been too frightened to tell police of her ordeal.

Graham Blake, of Blackthorn Street, Tower Hamlets, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday May 25, and was sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison.

Officers were called by a 23-year-old woman on February 1. She had suffered wounds to her leg, but had initially been too frightened to tell police what had happened, instead claiming that she had been robbed.

However, the following day, after treatment in hospital, the victim phoned the police to inform them that she had in fact been assaulted by her boyfriend, Blake, 25, who was subsequently arrested and charged.

Detective Constable Innocent Chukwuemeka said: “Victims of domestic violence should always come forward to the police, especially in circumstances where they feel threatened or intimidated, and justice will be done.

“The length of this sentence shows that the system works and that these matters are always taken seriously.”