WOMAN SUFFERED TWO YEARS OF HELL
A mother, who endured over two years of living in complete isolation under the total domination of an egocentric and narcissistic abuser, has shared her story of reclaiming her freedom and her life.Holly Jepson, aged 23, was completely cut off from her family, friends, and the outside world by Thomas Fosbrook, a 33-year-old violent drug addict.
Fosbrook treated Holly as nothing more than an object to fulfill his needs, while they resided in a sparsely furnished flat on the eighth floor of a tower block.
He described their relationship as being marked by frequent physical and psychological abuse.
Fortunately, the kindness of midwives helped Holly and her young daughter who was present during the violence and humiliation break free from Fosbrook’s manipulative grip.
While pregnant with their second child, Holly confided in staff at a neonatal clinic who created a covert system of codes, such as 'mixed-up blood test results', to facilitate appointments without Fosbrook’s knowledge.
This strategy enabled Holly to secretly send an email containing evidence to her mother, who then notified the police, leading to Fosbrook’s arrest.
Fosbrook, living in Hanover Towers on Lancashire Hill, Stockport, has begun a three-year prison term after admitting to coercive and controlling behavior.
He also has a history of violent convictions and works professionally as a chef.
At Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, it was heard that Fosbrook met Holly who was employed at the same restaurant in January 2019, and they quickly cohabited.
In a tragic case of domestic violence, Fosbrook sold most of the furniture in their flat to support his drug addiction.
He compelled Holly to sever contact with her mother, removed doors from their flat to monitor her constantly, and even painted over the windows in the living room and kitchen to prevent outsiders from seeing inside even though the flat was on the eighth floor, according to prosecutor Rachel Widdicombe.
The court was told that Fosbrook slept near the door to prevent Holly from leaving, controlled the only mobile phone in the house, managed their finances, and restricted her and their daughter to relying on food banks.
He forbade her from wearing makeup, dictated her clothing choices, and modified the flat’s intercom to block access.
Additionally, Fosbrook was found to have a hammer hidden under the sofa.
Ms Widdicombe recounted that Fosbrook threatened to kill Holly, a statement she believed he was capable of carrying out, and assaulted her multiple times but refused her hospital treatment.
In a particularly cruel act, Fosbrook refused to let Holly receive dental care, leading her to remove her own braces with a pair of pliers.
Sentencing, Judge John Potter said Fosbrook threatened to harm their unborn child and stopped Holly from going to hospital after he attacked her.
He said Fosbrook spat at her and subjected her to 'degrading treatment'.
Judge Potter told him: "You would slap and punch her if she wore clothes that disappointed you.
You stopped her from seeing friends and family.
You cut her off.
"You even made alterations to the flat to stop her leaving.
You took control of Ms Jepson's bank account, running up debts to feed your drug habit.
"This was sustained and abusive behaviour by you.
You treated her as nothing more than an abject to satisfy your demands.
"There was no respect for her.
No love or care for her.
Nothing - simply an object for your demands." Judge Potter also imposed a restraining order for an indefinite period.
