'Truly remarkable': Police praise 'bravery' of sick Telford abuser's victim

Police have praised the victim of a sadistic Telford abuser after he was locked up for 13 years.

David Wilkes, of Hoop Mill, Hadley, Telford, was sentenced for seven offences against his former partner over a nine-month reign of terror, when he appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court earlier this week.

The twisted 48-year-old was convicted of charges of attempted robbery, kidnap, false imprisonment, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, strangulation, kidnap, and controlling and coercive behaviour following a trial.

The court heard harrowing details of the offences, which included Wilkes hitting his victim with a hammer, strangling her with a phone cord, putting her in the boot of his car, and tying her hands and ankles, stuffing a sock in her mouth and threatening to set her on fire.

Wilkes was also sentenced for an attempted robbery and kidnap of a man in Telford in 2023 - after also being convicted of the offences following a trial.

In that instance Wilkes demanded money from the victim before assaulting him, taking his vehicle, and driving him to a petrol station in Stirchley and then Telford town centre.

Staff at the town centre petrol station noticed something was not right and called police.

In total Wilkes was sentenced to 13 years in prison - with three years extended licence. The sentence included 12 years for the offences against his former partner, and 12 months for the offences against the other man.

He will serve two thirds of the sentence.

Wilkes was also made subject of 20 year restraining orders preventing him contacting both victims.

PC Laura Price, who led the investigation into Wilkes’ offending, praised the courage of his former partner.

She said: “This was a prolonged and appalling campaign of abuse that subjected the victim to unimaginable fear, violence and control over many months. David Wilkes’ actions were cruel and calculated, and the sentence handed down reflects the seriousness of his offending.

“I would like to pay tribute to the victim, whose courage and resilience throughout this investigation and court process has been truly remarkable. Despite enduring horrific abuse, she found the strength to come forward and report what had happened to her. Her bravery has not only helped secure this conviction but sends a powerful message that perpetrators of domestic abuse will be held accountable for their actions.

“We are committed to supporting victims of domestic abuse and would encourage anyone suffering in silence to seek help and report their concerns. You will be listened to, supported and taken seriously.”