Wandsworth Man Jailed for Prolonged Abuse of His Partner


Dean Kelly subjected her to a reign of physical and psychological terror

Dean Martin Kelly threatened to kill his partner if she reported him to the police
Dean Martin Kelly threatened to kill his partner if she reported him to the police

February 14, 2023

A 39-year-old man from Wandsworth has been jailed for 16 years after being convicted of subjecting his former partner to a long campaign of physical and psychological abuse.

He had been found guilty at a 12-day trial at Kingston Crown Court in November last year and returned to the same court for sentencing earlier this month.

The offences by Kelly included GBH, sexual assault, threats to kill and coercive control which took place over the course of a 22-year relationship.

His victim finally reported what he was doing on 30 April of last year. She said, "I have suffered in silence for 22 years, silenced by my own fear and too afraid to speak up thinking there was no way out after years of abuse, but there was. The evening I called 999 undoubtedly saved my life. Faced with two kitchen knives and being told I was going to be killed in front of our helpless children after I had been beaten and sexually assaulted that evening. I knew this man was dangerous and deadly serious about ending my life.

"From the vulnerable young age of 16 to 38 I have been a victim of domestic abuse and under the control of Dean's cohesive, obsessive, possessive and controlling behaviour. He was so manipulative and treated me as his possession. It was the only love I ever knew and accepted. I knew it was wrong and that I deserved so much more but I was too scared and felt so ashamed. I now know this was never love."

She had called the emergency number and whispered “Police, police, please, please” before she abandoned the call. However, it had been possible to trace her location in Wandsworth and officers were dispatched.

When they arrived, Kelly told her he would kill her. He told their three children aged between 10 and 21, to “Say goodbye to your mum, I’m going to kill her.”

She explained to the police how Kelly had attacked her physically and sexually over an extended period and how the abuse had worsened recently. She had been terrified of going to the police because of the threats he had made to kill her if she spoke with them.

He would routinely spit at her, rub food in her hair which she had cooked for him and also spit in her food and the children’s food. He would beat her with his fists as well as use weapons, such as a belt and wire from a set of headphones.

Later, a physical examination showed that she had bruising covering her entire body which was recorded in one hundred photos taken by the police to present as evidence.

She told police, "Dean controlled every aspect of my life, down to what I ate, what I wore, who I spoke to, where I went and my finances. He would always dismiss my feelings, thoughts and opinions and belittle everything I said and did. He would often cause conflict between family members and friends and would try to isolate me and the children from our loved ones.

"Dean was supposed to love and protect me and our children but instead he failed us all miserably. He robbed us all of our dignity, safety, freedom and happiness.

"I am so grateful to all the efforts made by the Met police, they have listened, understood, stood by me and supported me through this horrendous ordeal when I doubted I would ever get out.

"I urge all victims of domestic and sexual violence to please come forward. Call the police or talk to someone, please don't suffer in silence. There is so much help and support out there and action will be taken against your abuser. There is a way out and you don't have to suffer alone. Reaching out is the only way out. It's time to reclaim back your life. You owe it to yourself."

Detective Inspector Simon Sherlock, from South West Command’s Public Protection Unit, said, "Kelly took complete control of his victim's life and rarely let her out. His campaign of abuse has not only affected her but also greatly impacted her children.

"His behaviour was completely irredeemable and will not be tolerated. I commend the victim-survivor for having the courage to come forward and encourage anyone in the same situation to seek help.

”My officers, PCs Lally Spoto and Tara Oram safeguarded and supported the victim-survivor and her family and importantly built a relationship with her to ensure the strongest possible evidence was presented to the court.”

If you are a victim of domestic abuse or are worried about someone else the police are encouraging you to approach them or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

If you need urgent help and cannot talk, dial 999 and press 55 to let the operator know the call has not been made in error.

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