VULGAR MAN LEFT FAECES ON EX-GIRLFRIEND’S CARPET
A man who committed a series of abusive acts against his ex-girlfriend, including leaving faeces on her carpet, choking her, and then imprisoning her, has been sentenced to prison.The case was considered unusual because the violence was recorded on a mobile phone, showing the attacker’s uncontrollable and jealous rage.
The defendant, Joshua Rampton, appeared in court at Reading Crown Court on Monday, March 17.
Prosecutor Mark Warburton explained that Rampton, aged 30 and residing on Masefield Road in Thatcham, had been in a relationship with Bethany Pease for approximately six years until she ended it and started seeing someone else.
He stated that Rampton’s reaction to the breakup included leaving faeces on her carpet.
On another occasion, Rampton visited her home, caused damage, and shouted threats such as, “I’m going to hurt you – I hate you; I don’t want you to exist.” The court viewed footage from a mobile phone which captured subsequent events.
In the recording, Ms Pease can be heard pleading, “get off me,” as Rampton shouts abuse and threats directly at her.
Prosecutor Warburton described how Rampton pushed her onto a bed, expressed his hatred, slapped her, and strangled her to the point where she could not breathe, while her voice was filled with fear.
Following the attack, Rampton took her flat keys and left, locking her inside and trapping her.
When he returned later, he released her but refused to return her keys.
Rampton declined to answer questions when arrested.
He admitted to unlawfully imprisoning her, intentionally strangling her, assaulting her, and damaging property all on January 4 of that year.
The court also noted Rampton’s prior convictions for assault causing actual bodily harm and drink-driving, with the victim in the previous harm case being the same woman.
During a victim impact statement, Ms Pease reflected on the emotional damage inflicted, expressing feelings of worthlessness and stating that her emotional scars may never fully heal, although she considered herself a survivor.
Defence lawyer Tabitha Everett characterized Rampton’s strangulation and imprisonment as “fleeting” and highlighted his diagnosis of anxiety and depression, which could make imprisonment more difficult.
She suggested that the sentence might be suspended.
Judge Alan Blake remarked that he required substantial mitigation to avoid immediate imprisonment.
Upon hearing further mitigation, he acknowledged the distress caused by the mobile footage.
He emphasized the seriousness of strangulation, relating it to control and serious, potentially fatal violence against women.
Ultimately, the judge sentenced Rampton to 16 months in prison, deducting 70 days already served in custody, meaning he would serve about half incarcerated and the rest on license.
Additionally, a seven-year restraining order was imposed, forbidding Rampton from contacting Ms Pease directly or indirectly or from visiting Bucklebury.
