Crawley domestic abuser jailed for violent assaults on two women

A domestic abuser from Crawley has been jailed for assaulting two separate women who were known to him.

Tiago Nunes, 28, refused to allow the first victim to leave the home and then subjected her to violence, he struck her, smashed her phone and choked her during the incident.

A second victim also reported that she was assaulted by Nunes causing her to require stitches in her face due to a hole in her upper lip, caused by Nunes.

The offences put Nunes, of Westminster Road, Crawley, in breach of a suspended prison sentence imposed for causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

At Lewes Crown Court on 15 April, he admitted two separate counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and a separate offence of possession of a weapon in public.

The court was told how on 15 March 2024, Nunes was possibly intoxicated through drug use and made disparaging comments to the victim, and punched walls and a radiator and injured himself, requiring hospital treatment.

When he returned home from hospital, he refused to allow the victim to leave, following her around the address where he then assaulted her and choked her.

Previously, Nunes was convicted of randomly assaulting a man outside the Medusa bar in Crawley at 3am on 21 August 2022. The incident left the victim unconscious and with a bleed on the brain. He received a suspended prison sentence for this offence in January 2024.

The court was also told how 9 months later, Nunes also subject another domestic partner to an assault while waiting for a taxi in the early hours of the morning.

The court was told how Nunes’ behaviour changed suddenly where he became aggressive and violent, seriously assaulting the victim.

After the assault, the victim was forced to seek help by knocking on a member of the public’s door who had to call the police due to the victims phone also being damaged in the attack.

Then on 7 June last year Nunes was seen threatening a man with a metal bar in Crawley.

Nunes has now been jailed for five years.

Speaking after the case PC Bryony Tarrant said: “We take reports of domestic abuse and violence extremely seriously.

"These were shocking incidents for the victims, and I commend their courage for reporting their experience to police. We were determined to get justice for them.

"Nunes’ jealous and aggressive behaviour towards them was appalling. He is now serving a significant custodial sentence."

Investigator Rachel Lawrence, the second investigating officer said: “We are glad that the court has held Nunes accountable for his actions. Violence against women and girls is a priority for Sussex Police, and this prison sentence is the result of the victims bravery in coming forward.”

More information about how to report incidents of domestic abuse and violence to the police is available on the Sussex Police website.

Further support is availabe online on our website and on the Safe:Space Sussex website.