LEWIS ROGERS SENTENCED IN NUNEATON FOR DOMESTIC ABUSE AND VIOLENCE CASES

Lewis Rogers, a man from Nuneaton, has been formally sentenced to a prison term of five years and six months following his guilty plea to a series of serious criminal offences. The charges include controlling and coercive behaviour within an intimate relationship, inflicting grievous bodily harm, deliberate strangulation, and assault causing actual bodily harm. The sentencing took place at Warwick Crown Court, where Rogers appeared to face justice for his actions.

Throughout the court proceedings, harrowing details emerged about the nature of Rogers' abusive conduct. The victim, whose identity has been protected, provided emotional testimony describing years of escalating violence and manipulation that left her in constant fear for her life. The court was told that Rogers engaged in both physical and psychological abuse, which severely impacted her well-being and safety.

Specifically, Rogers was found to have committed acts of controlling and coercive behaviour, which are recognized as serious offences under UK law due to their destructive impact on victims. He was also convicted of inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent, a charge that underscores the severity of the injuries sustained. Two counts of intentional strangulation were recorded, highlighting the dangerous nature of his violence. Additionally, Rogers was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, further demonstrating the physical toll of his actions.

As part of his punishment, Rogers was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228, which is allocated to support victims of crime across the country. An indefinite restraining order was also issued against him, explicitly prohibiting any form of contact—whether direct or indirect—with his victim, Francesca Giovannini-White. This legal measure aims to prevent further harm and ensure her safety moving forward.

Records from court proceedings reveal that Rogers has a troubling history of violent behaviour towards women. His first appearance at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on July 3, 2024, involved multiple serious allegations, including the rape of a woman aged 16 or over, in accordance with the Sexual Offences Act 2003. He also faced charges of assaulting a female aged 13 or over by penetration, possession of an offensive weapon in a private setting, and possession of controlled substances—specifically MDMA and cannabis, classified as Class A and Class B drugs respectively.

Although Rogers admitted guilt to the drug possession charges, the court acknowledged that the time he had already served in custody was sufficient to cover those offences. The more severe allegations of rape, assault, and coercive control, however, continued through the legal process and culminated in the recent sentencing.

Following the court's decision, Francesca Giovannini-White shared a deeply emotional account of her ordeal. She described her fear and despair during the period of abuse, stating, “I remember thinking that I would never see my mum, my dad, my sister, my family, and my friends ever again. I was so frightened. I knew it was going to be worse than any time before. I could see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. I stayed on the floor and, for the first time in my life, I prayed.”

She further revealed that Rogers’ violence had left her physically and emotionally scarred, with lasting memories and nightmares. “I will spend my life always having those memories and flashbacks and nightmares. I will keep scars on my body from him for the rest of my life. Things he’s permanently changed about me will never go away,” she wrote.

Giovannini-White explained that her decision to contact the police was driven by a desperate need to escape the danger. “I have done this because it was the only way to get him away from me. I could have gone back; I could have ended up more hurt or dead,” she said. Her courage in seeking help ultimately led to Rogers’ arrest and subsequent conviction.

While the sentencing provides a measure of justice, Giovannini-White expressed her belief that Rogers should be held fully accountable for his actions. “He has always gotten away with it in the past,” she remarked. “He has never had to learn. It has always been brushed under the carpet.” Despite her trauma, she remains hopeful that Rogers will receive the psychological help he needs, emphasizing her concern for his troubled state of mind.

This case underscores the ongoing issue of domestic abuse and coercive control, highlighting the importance of support services for victims. Organizations such as Refuge (0808 2000 247) and Women’s Aid continue to provide confidential assistance and guidance for those suffering in silence. Rogers’ conviction sends a clear message that domestic violence and abuse will not be tolerated in the UK, but for many survivors, the journey to healing and recovery extends well beyond the courtroom.