GEORGE DE BATHE'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN CHICHESTER: VICTIMS ENDURED RAPE, CONTROL, AND VIOLENCE

A man accused of inflicting severe physical, sexual, and psychological abuse on five young women has been found guilty in a court of law. George De Bathe, aged 25 and hailing from Chichester, orchestrated a disturbing series of violent acts and manipulative tactics over a period spanning from 2015 to 2019. The court proceedings revealed that De Bathe subjected his victims to a relentless campaign of coercion and violence, which included multiple instances of rape and controlling behaviors designed to dominate every aspect of their lives.

According to court reports, De Bathe employed a range of oppressive methods, such as forcing the women into restraints and falsely claiming that injuries they sustained were the result of consensual rough sex. His control extended into their personal choices, dictating what they could wear, what they ate, and even who they could communicate with. The victims were subjected to physical abuse, with some having their clothing deliberately cut, and their privacy invaded through demands to access their phones and social media accounts. Strict rules were imposed, requiring lengthy written apologies if they disobeyed his commands.

The trial uncovered particularly disturbing allegations, including an incident where De Bathe strangled a woman after she took a pregnancy test. He also pressured some victims into taking nude or topless photographs, including underage girls whom he manipulated into compliance. One woman was beaten unconscious and felt compelled to engage in sexual acts to prevent further harm. These acts of violence and coercion created an environment of fear and submission for the victims.

During the court proceedings at Portsmouth Crown Court, the jury found De Bathe guilty of a total of 24 charges. These included six counts of rape, seven of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, five of controlling coercive behavior, two of sexual assault, two of false imprisonment, and making threats. De Bathe chose not to give evidence during the trial, and prosecutors argued that he attempted to intimidate witnesses and manipulate the court process. Despite his claims that police could not prosecute him, the evidence presented was sufficient to secure his conviction.

Authorities from Sussex Police described De Bathe’s actions as having made the lives of his victims “miserable,” emphasizing the terror and suffering he inflicted. The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the extent of his brutality and the psychological damage caused. De Bathe’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July, where he will face the consequences of his actions and the full weight of the law.

11 July 2025

A serial rapist who strangled and threatened to kill five women, before blaming their injuries on consensual rough sex, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison.

On Friday Portsmouth Crown Court heard how George De Bathe, from Chichester in West Sussex, abused and controlled his victims between 2015 and 2019, even continuing to offend after being arrested and placed under a restraining order.

Having been found guilty in April on 24 counts including rape, ABH, sexual assault, coercive control, making a threat to kill and false imprisonment, the 25-year-old shrugged and smiled as he was led from court.

Judge William Ashworth described him as "callous, cold and calculating".

The court heard how salesman De Bathe used blackmail and intimidation to abuse the five women physically, sexually and emotionally.

One young woman was strangled when she took a pregnancy test after being raped by him.

He had also held a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her.

"You enjoyed inflicting pain and humiliation and you moved without significant pause from victim to victim," the judge said.

He added that De Bathe had bragged to his father about putting women in their place, while his mother had told police: "George admits he gets angry when he doesn't get his needs met."

'Little or no remorse'

However, despite fears over his increasingly worrying behaviour, his family did nothing, the judge said.

"No one in that household chose to stop you," he added.

"You are a dangerous offender who has shown little or no remorse."

The court also heard De Bathe's offending started while he was still at school.

He would control every aspect of his victims' lives, including how to dress, what to eat, where to go and who they were allowed to speak to.

One woman said: "I was so broken from what he had done to me, I didn't know who I was."

Another described being "completely indoctrinated" and "riddled with fear".

"He is a narcissistic and dangerously manipulative man," she said, adding that had she not reported him to the police "I'm sure he would have murdered me".

Confessing that "I'm psycho when I don't take my meds", De Bathe would pressure the women into taking nude or topless pictures of themselves which he would then use to manipulate them.

Some of them were under age at the time, the court was told.

De Bathe was first arrested in March 2019, and then again in April and November that same year.