NATHAN RYMELL SHOCKS OXFORDSHIRE AND PERTH WITH BRUTAL ABUSE AND COERCIVE CONTROL

A man with ties to both Perth and Oxfordshire has been brought to justice after a disturbing pattern of coercive control, emotional torment, and threats directed at his former wife. The disturbing campaign of abuse, much of which was carried out in front of their two young children, has left a lasting impact on the victims and has raised serious concerns about safeguarding and justice.

Nathan Rymell, who now resides in Bicester, Oxfordshire, was sentenced to serve 80 hours of community service and was issued a two-year non-harassment order by the court. The sentencing followed a detailed presentation of evidence that painted a harrowing picture of the abuse Rymell inflicted during his time living in Glenfarg, Perth and Kinross. The court heard how Rymell subjected his ex-wife to a relentless campaign of psychological and physical intimidation, often in the presence of their children.

During their relationship, Rymell reportedly confined his wife within their home, taking away her phone and electronic devices to prevent her from seeking help or contacting others. He systematically isolated her from her friends and family, controlling her movements and social interactions. One particularly disturbing detail was his insistence that she attend a general practitioner appointment only if she agreed to falsely claim she was suffering from depression, thereby manipulating her mental health narrative.

The court also heard that Rymell attempted to discredit his partner by portraying her as mentally unwell. He enlisted the support of family members in a calculated effort to undermine her credibility, claiming she was experiencing postnatal depression. However, the victim maintained that her intentions were simply to escape an abusive environment, and her assertions were supported by evidence and testimony.

Further allegations revealed that Rymell engaged in stalking behaviors, gaining unauthorized access to her social media accounts and draining joint bank accounts, leaving her financially vulnerable. His emotional abuse was compounded by violent acts, including throwing objects at or near her and making terrifying threats to burn down their family home while they were living there. Threats of strangulation were also reported, adding a dangerous dimension to his pattern of violence.

Many of these aggressive incidents occurred in front of their young children, raising serious safeguarding concerns and highlighting the potential trauma inflicted on the children witnessing such behavior.

One of the most serious and distressing allegations involved sexual assault and an attempted rape. Although these incidents were reported to authorities, prosecutors stated that the case could not proceed due to insufficient evidence, leaving some questions unanswered about the full extent of the abuse.

While Rymell was ultimately sentenced to community service and issued a non-harassment order, the victim and advocacy groups have criticized the leniency of the punishment. They argue that given the severity and duration of the abuse, a harsher sentence would have been appropriate to serve justice and provide greater protection for victims of similar crimes.