A man who inflicted a campaign of mental and physical abuse on his wife is set to be deported to India after serving a year-long prison sentence. Seby Varghese, 49, of Sheffield Road, Chesterfield, was sentenced at Derby Crown Court on Wednesday, February 12, after pleading guilty to charges of assault and intentional strangulation.
Police were called to Varghese’s Chesterfield home on September 3, following reports of a violent incident in which he beat his wife with a slipper. During the investigation, his wife revealed that she had endured numerous other attacks, including being threatened with a meat cleaver and strangled against a wall by the neck.
In a harrowing victim impact statement, she said: “The incident has left me feeling very shocked. I never thought that my husband would physically hurt me. I never thought he would do that to me; I thought the abuse would only ever be verbal. I now realise what he can do, and this scares me. The verbal abuse from my husband has been very mentally draining and has left me feeling depressed.”
Varghese was sentenced to 12 months in prison and handed a restraining order to prevent further contact with his wife. Once he has served his sentence, he will be deported to India.
Detective Constable Jacob Tyers, who led the investigation, commended the bravery of the victim in coming forward. “The behaviour of Varghese towards his wife has left her feeling utterly terrified and completely ruined her life for the last few years. Her courage in coming forward to report these incidents to officers means she is now free of this appalling abuse and can begin to look forward to a much happier future.”
DC Tyers encouraged other victims of domestic abuse to seek help, adding: “I’d like to commend her bravery throughout this court case and would encourage anyone who is suffering any form of domestic abuse to please come forward and report it to us. We will listen without judgment and support you throughout.”
The case highlights the devastating effects of domestic abuse and the importance of reporting such incidents to the authorities. Help and support are available for anyone experiencing abuse, and police are urging victims to come forward without fear of judgment.
