Man jailed after subjecting victim to more than decade of abuse

A violent offender has been jailed for eight and a half years after subjecting a woman he knew to over a decade of emotional and physical abuse.

Robert Szymanski, 49, came to the attention of the police following a report from a woman in April 2025 disclosing she had been subjected to a prolonged period of violent abuse, including physical assault and psychological manipulation, naming Szymanski as the one responsible.

Szymanski was swiftly arrested and initially interviewed by officers from the Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Investigation Team (DASIT), where he was subsequently bailed pending analysis of his digital devices.

Whilst on bail, the court heard that Szymanski, of Porter Street in Hull, repeatedly broke his bail conditions through contacting the woman’s friend to persuade her to retract her statement.

The investigation was then passed to officers from the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit (PVP), and Detective Constable Lisa Grantham, leading the investigation said: “I would like to start by commending the woman for her bravery and courage to not only report the horrific offences she was subjected to, but also for engaging with us throughout what has been a very lengthy and complex investigation.

“Szymanski is a brutal man who not only subjected a woman to an extended period of abuse and manipulation but even went so far as to try and prevent her from continuing to seek help.

“Throughout the investigation Szymanski cowardly denied all offences put to him, leading to the woman having to relive the ordeal all over again in a gruelling two-week trial.

“Violence against women and girls is completely unacceptable, and I encourage anyone who is a victim, knows someone who is, or has witnessed domestic abuse and violence in any form to please contact us as soon as possible via our non-emergency number 101.

“In an emergency, if you are in immediate danger, always call 999.”

Szymanski was found guilty of non-fatal strangulation, perverting the course of justice, and coercive control, following a two-week trial that concluded on Friday June 26, 2026.

He was sentenced on Friday, August 7 and also handed an indefinite restraining order.