Exclusive:Gosport man who bruised woman's eye, smashed up her car and repeatedly abused her is spared jail

A “warped” labourer who put a woman through hell has avoided being sent to prison.

Alfie Matthews, 21 from Hurst Green, Gosport, unleashed a torrent of abuse on a woman between December 2024 and October 2025, the court heard.

His victim sustained multiple injuries, repeated verbal abuse and damage to her property during his reign of terror against her.

At Portsmouth Crown Court, Matthews pleaded guilty to two counts of controlling or coercive behaviour, as well as assault and criminal damage charges. Today (Friday, July 31) he appeared in the dock for sentencing.

Nate Lara, prosecuting, told the court of how Matthews attacked his victim on multiple occasions, as well as targeting her car.

He said: “She sustained repeated injuries by his hands, including bruising her eye, pulling her hair, and multiple bruises and scratches. Further abuse, and threats of violence, were also made.

“His victim kept a photobook of her injuries, which has 48 photographs of different wounds.”

The court was played a video of one incident, captured on the victim’s phone, where Matthews could be heard screaming, “What are you going to do, you silly c***,” while hitting her car. The defendant sat open-mouthed as the footage was played, then tried conversing with loved ones in the public gallery.

In another incident, Matthews threw glass at her, Mr Lara explained.

A statement from the defendant’s victim was then read out in court, in which she explained she would often wear long-sleeves, trousers and make-up to ensure people did not see her injuries.

She added: “I would struggle to look at myself in the mirror, because of the number of bruises. I didn’t know how to deal with the situation until I went to the police.”

Simon Walters, defending Matthews, said the defendant had since taken reponsibility for his actions, and shown remorse. He also told the court that Matthews was “frightened” about going to prison.

He said: “He communicates his remorse through his guilty pleas, and the way he has taken responsibility for his offending in conversations with probation. He said at one stage ‘I deserve what’s coming, I can’t blame her.’

“His behaviour was exacerbated by drinking and cocaine. To his credit, he has taken steps to cut back in relation to these.

“His parents were also physically abusive when he was a child - his thinking has been warped.”

Sentencing, Judge Michael Bowes KC said: “You pushed her to the floor, pulled her hair, punched her, kicked her to the stomach, threw a glass at her, bruised her eye and caused injuries to her face, plus repeated verbal abuse.

“You made her life an absolute misery. She was injured multiple times by you - she had done nothing.

“You have taken responsibility for your actions and referred to the hell you put her through. You had a miserable upbringing; that provides an explanation, but is no excuse.”

Matthews was sentenced to a total of 18 months in custody, suspended for two years. No restraining order was enforced by the judge.

Upon being photographed outside court, he yelled: “Go on then mush, take my f***ing picture,” before saying to friends that those in court were “f***ing r******”.