A ‘narcassist’ thug who confined his girlfriend to their eighth-floor flat and threatened to ‘gut out’ their unborn baby during a row has been jailed for three years.
Thomas Fosbrook (33) of Stockport (Greater Manchester) began a two year campaign to stop Holly Jepson (23) from moving around after he had cut her off. Family, friends, and the “outside world”
The restaurant chef removed all the interior doors to their eighth-floor tower block apartment so she had no privacy – and even painted over the windows so no one could see inside.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard Fosbrook altered Miss Jepson’s intercom system, so that no one could enter. When they went out to play, Fosbrook kept a hammer in the pram of their oldest child in case she questioned him.
Miss Jepson claimed that she was a victim to narcissistical and egotistical abuses and had even contemplated taking her own lives.
Thomas Fosbrook (33), from Stockport in Greater Manchester began a 2-year campaign to stop Holly Jepson’s movements. He had cut off her family and friends as well as the outside world.
Fosbrook changed the intercom system so Miss Jepson could not let anyone in and whenever they did go out, he kept a hammer in their oldest child’s pram in case she challenged him
Evil Fosbrook hPrevious convictions for domestic violence and drug dealing from May 2015 and November 2015.
His record also includes offences for battery, common assault, 2006, 2007, and 2012.
While working as a team in a restaurant’s kitchen, the couple met and then moved in together to a house named for Fosbrook.
During their abusive relationship, Fosbrook took control of Miss Jepson’s finances and would deliberately sleep on the side of the bed closest to the open doorframe in case she tried to leave him.
As he spent their entire money on drugs, Miss Jepson ended up having to seek out food banks for provisions. And while she was still pregnant with their second child he promised to “gut out” the unborn baby during a row.
After sending a secret SOS message to her mother, she managed to escape. In May 2018, police saved her from her spartan apartment in Stockport’s Lancashire Hill.
Holly was viewed by a judge as “nothing but an object to satisfy.” [his] demands’
In a statement the victim who has been left with debts of £1,400 said: ‘I always find misery and heartache when I think about what he has put me and my children through.
“It makes it so silly and foolish and I wish I had been one step ahead.” I was able to quickly fall for him. As a young man, he was able to control me and target me.
Fosbrook and Miss Jepson met in January 2019, after working at the same restaurant. They quickly became friends, and soon moved in together.
The first year was marked by coercive, controlling and manipulative behaviours. He moved us into the flat of his father and we saw each other less. When we added our salaries, money would go out each month. However, it would pay for his drug addiction.
“He made it very clear that he expected me not to speak to other men in the restaurant we were working at, and that I would dress as he instructed.
“I was socially awkward wherever I went. He stated that if any men saw me, he would murder them. He claimed he was jealous over my mother.
“He was unable to provide any help, and I did not have the right to ask him questions about anything that he had said. My thoughts were my only constant companion.
We lived almost 2 years in isolation. We went to the shops together for quick shopping. Going out was something that I didn’t enjoy.
“He painted all the windows and rooms because he didn’t want anyone outside to see our apartment, even though it is the eighth floor.” It makes me sickening to think about why he desired so much privacy.
Fosbrook, who was infected with an inverted cross tattoo on his forehead at Minshull Street Crown Court Manchester, was sentenced to three years imprisonment after admitting coercive behavior
“I was in debt to support his drug addiction which is all in mine,” she said. I had zero control of my finances and now have £1,400 debt including rent arrears which I have been unable to pay.
He emptied his bank account in order to pay for child maintenance. However, I believed everything and became blinded.
‘I regret and feel shame that I believed these terrible lies. One time, I was forced to take off my braces using plyers. There was nowhere else to go.
He was controlling me in horrible ways. Because I had no money to purchase drugs, I was pushed around and hit in the face. To hide the injury, he would poke me at my hairline. As all my personal items were removed, I watched.
“I was aware he was dangerous so I kept my distance during his outbursts. Fearful, I contemplated jumping from the eighth-story window.
“My children have been the best thing I’ve gained in that relationship, but I also know that I will always be carrying the burden and my insecurity.”
“I experienced egotistical as well as narcissistical abuse. It is impossible to love. He made me a target and I wish he never has to do this again.
Fosbrook, who was infected with an inverted cross tattoo on his forehead at Minshull Street Crown Court Manchester, was sentenced to three years imprisonment after admitting coercive behavior.
Rachel Widdicombe, the prosecutor for Rachel Widdicombe stated that he cut off Rachel from their friends and families. After she gave birth to their first child, she quit working and the money that she did have was used to finance the defendant’s drug addiction.
“He decided to close the door of the flat in order for her privacy. He covered the windows with paint so that no one could see through. To stop his wife from running away, he slept on the closest side to the doorframe. He was not allowed to eat because there were no curtains, TVs or televisions.
‘He had control of her mobile phone and ran up debts of £1,000 including rent arrears. He disconnected her from the outside and changed the communications system to prevent anyone else entering.
![A judge said he treated Holly as 'nothing more than an object to satisfy [his] demands'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2021/12/21/11/52056135-10332003-image-m-25_1640085142776.jpg)
Holly was viewed by a judge as “nothing but an object to satisfy.” [his] demands’
Her bank account was managed by him and he had direct access to all her funds. To feed her baby, she had to frequent food banks. To avoid spotting another man, she had to look outside.
“He controlled her clothes, made her wear make-up and had a hidden hammer under the couch that he took with him to the park. She believed him when he threatened to kill her.
“On one occasion, he kicked her in both the face and the back. This caused her to hide her injuries and made her curl up. He refused to allow her to leave the hospital. He also slapped her side.
“While pregnant with his second child, the father held up a hammer to his head and raised it towards her. She flinched with genuine fear and he threatened to kill her. When she was pregnant, he took a knife and placed it on her stomach. He said that he would kill the baby.
“He threatened her with suicide if she didn’t continue to be in the relationship.” He refused her contraception.
According to COVID protocol, on 8 March she was approximately 25 weeks into her pregnancy. He went along with her to the hospital and would be outside with her while she was in the operating room. They set up codes that would help her tell her story to the midwives.
Neil Ronan was his counselor. He stated that jealousy and paranoia were the main concerns in their relationship. His mother called him when he was 11 years old and told him she wasn’t coming home.
“She informed the midwives that her phone number wasn’t safe with the defendant, and that he wouldn’t allow her to call the nursery. He demanded Miss Jepson to give up everything.
“Eventually, she was able to reach her mother via email because the defendant monitored that platform less than any other social media. Her mother reached out to the police after she stated that she would like to go home as it was unsafe.
“The defendant claimed that he denied all of it and said that he believed she loved him. The defendant became violent and threatened to mill himself during interview. Interview had to be ended.
Neil Ronan, his counsel said that the principal concerns he had with this relationship were jealousy and paranoia. He was eleven when his mother called and stated that she would not be coming home.
He was also raised by his dad and experienced physical violence. The primary relationship regarding jealousy, paranoia and drug addiction is underpinned by him. He doesn’t want this to happen in the future. He’s disgusted with the behavior he’s displayed.
Fosbrook was told by Judge John Potter that he sentencing him.
The court heard Fosbrook (right) had control of Miss Jepson’s (left) mobile phone and ran up debts of £1,000 including rent arrears. Fosbrook cut off her access to the outside and changed the communications system so that no one could get in.
“You attempted to limit her choices in who she saw, what clothes she wore and how she behaved around people. You would tell her to stop wearing clothing that you didn’t like and then punch and slap her. Threatens to her family and friends would be made.
“You said she couldn’t have friends, and stopped her seeing them. She was cut off from her family by switching the intercom. She was allowed to leave the apartment, but you had to keep her there. The weapon was kept under the couch and you would push it to the side.
You sickeningly threatened her unborn child when she was pregnant. You displayed a consistent and aggressive behavior. She was treated as an object.
You did not care about her and used her only as an object. Your victim was treated in an unacceptable manner and you have no excuse to cause her pain.
Fosbrook was also forbidden from reaching Miss Jepson pursuant to a restraining orders.
Ruth Davison, Refuge CEO, said: ‘Coercive control rightly became a crime in 2015. This type of abuse is almost never seen alone and it’s often used in conjunction with other domestic abuse.
‘Anyone who recognises any parts of this horrific story of abuse can contact Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. The Helpline is available 24 hours per day, seven days a semaine, and 365 days a calendar year.
‘We know the window to call for help can be very narrow, so if you are unable to call you can also access support at www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk, where you can live chat with our expert female staff or fill in a webform to request a safe time to be contacted. It’s okay to feel alone. Refuge is here for you’