TREVOR SMITH FROM WISBECH SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF ABUSE AND ATTEMPTED MURDER

Trevor Smith, a man aged 61 from South Brink in Wisbech, has been handed a severe prison sentence of 27 years following a series of heinous crimes that spanned over four decades. His actions included systematic sexual assault, physical violence, and controlling behavior directed towards his wife, whom he subjected to relentless torment throughout their long-standing relationship.

The incident that led to his arrest occurred in the early hours of January 22 of the previous year. Law enforcement officers responded to a distress call from their residence in Wisbech, where they found the victim suffering from multiple injuries. She had sustained as many as 20 puncture wounds to her neck and arms during an unprovoked stabbing carried out by Trevor Smith. The attack was sudden and brutal, with Smith approaching her from behind in the kitchen, grabbing her T-shirt, and attacking her with a knife.

Despite the severity of the assault, the woman managed to defend herself and prevent Smith from slicing her throat. Her screams alerted three family members who intervened swiftly, restraining Smith until police arrived. During the restraint, Smith was heard to say that he was “trying to finish her off,” revealing the deadly intent behind his actions.

While the woman was receiving medical treatment for her injuries, she disclosed that Trevor Smith had been raping her on a regular basis, often weekly, over many years. She recounted that during their children’s childhood, Smith would force her into a caravan where he would sexually assault her, often dismissing her protests with the words, “you know it won’t take long, just get it done then you can get back to them.”

Smith’s controlling and abusive behavior extended beyond physical and sexual violence. He kept the victim isolated by controlling all the finances, forbidding her from owning her own phone, and spending all shared money on himself. As a result, she sometimes relied on food parcels for sustenance. His dominance was so pervasive that she never sought medical help for her injuries, often enduring pain for weeks without assistance. To prevent her and their children from leaving the home, Smith would lock the doors and follow them if they attempted to go out.

Throughout their relationship, Trevor Smith maintained strict control over every aspect of their lives. His dominance included financial manipulation and emotional coercion, which left the victim in a state of constant fear and dependency. The court heard that he also subjected her to physical assaults, including beatings, and engaged in child cruelty, further illustrating the extent of his abusive conduct.

Following a trial held in September of the previous year, Smith was convicted on multiple charges, including attempted murder, six counts of rape, attempted rape, three counts of assault by penetration, two counts of controlling and coercive behavior, assault by beating, and two counts of child cruelty. His actions were deemed so severe that he was brought before Cambridge Crown Court on June 12, where he received the 27-year prison sentence.

DC Chris Herring, who led the investigation, expressed his admiration for the victim’s resilience. He stated, “Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the woman at the heart of this case who was subjected to the most appalling abuse for so many years, yet she has shown incredible strength in supporting the investigation all the way through.”

Herring also emphasized the importance of justice, saying, “Trevor Smith arrogantly thought he would always get away with carrying out this cruel, monstrous behaviour for so long. I welcome this sentence, and I hope this case sends a clear message to those who commit violent and sexual offences – we will do all we can to bring them before the courts.”

The officer urged victims of similar crimes to seek help, highlighting that support services are available. “It can be hard for victims to know what to do when incidents happen behind closed doors, but I must stress there is help and support available. I would encourage anyone who thinks they might’ve been a victim of a sexual offence to contact us on 101 or via web chat on the force website. We take all reports of sexual offences very seriously. We have a dedicated team of specially trained officers ready to investigate allegations promptly, fully and professionally, and a network of partnership agencies and support services to offer assistance and support.”