A Crawley man aged 28 has been given a five-year custodial sentence after assaulting a woman and holding her captive within a property.

Tiago Nunes, from Westminster Road in Crawley, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on April 15. He had earlier admitted two offences: assault causing actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

The court was told that on March 15, 2024, Nunes had reportedly taken drugs and made abusive comments towards the complainant. He damaged walls and a radiator, injuring himself in the process and requiring medical attention. When he returned to the property, he blocked the victim from leaving.

Nunes chased the woman through the home before assaulting and strangling her in the bedroom.

In an earlier matter, Nunes was found guilty of inexplicably attacking a man outside the Medusa bar in Crawley at 3am on August 21, 2022. The victim lost consciousness and experienced a brain bleed.

On June 7, 2025, police officers arrested Nunes after witnessing him chase another person while carrying a metal bar.

After the case concluded, investigating officer PC Bryony Tarrant stated that reports of domestic abuse and violence are taken extremely seriously by Sussex Police, and addressing violence against women and girls remains a priority for the force. She described the incident as deeply traumatic for the victim and praised her bravery in coming forward. She said they were committed to securing justice for the victim and that Nunes’ conduct toward her was abhorrent. She noted that he is now serving a substantial prison term.