Ex-policeman who raped two women and held one captive is jailed for 18 years after judge finds he is a ‘danger to the public’

• Matthew Essex, 38, found guilty of raping two women and holding one captive
• He also brutally beat one victim and dragged her around a house by her hair
• Court heard he is a ‘monster’ with a ‘twisted ideology’ towards women
• Previously left police after being convicted of stealing from cricket club 

Former police officer Matthew Essex, 38, pictured, has been jailed for 18 years after being convicted of raping two women

A former police officer who raped two women and viciously beat one of them while keeping her ‘captive’ has been jailed for 18 years.

Matthew Essex, 38, had a ‘twisted ideology’ towards women, a court heard, and left his victims ‘deeply traumatised’ after subjecting them to horrific ordeals.

Leeds Crown Court heard he still blamed his victims despite being convicted of rape, assault causing actual bodily harm and false imprisonment.

Speaking after the case, one of his victims, who cannot be named, said ‘He’s a monster. No sentence would have been long enough.’ 

The court heard Essex, who was no longer a police officer at the time of the offences after previously being convicted of theft, was ‘vicious and jealous’ and treated his victims with ‘contempt’.

He brutally assaulted one woman by punching her in the face, stamping on her head and dragging her around a house by her hair.

Judge Robin Mairs said: ‘[Your actions] had a deep and profound effect on these women. They are still scared despite you being remanded in custody.

‘How long these effects will last is unknown. It is hoped this sentence will bring some closure.’

The judge added: ‘In a pre-sentence report you continued to blame the victims which is part of your twisted ideology of offending.’ 

Essex, of Lindley, Huddersfield, was convicted of three counts of rape; two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm; one count of false imprisonment and one further charge.

He had admitted three charges of assault by beating.

Essex was given 18 years sentence with an extended licence of four years.

Essex, left and right at Leeds Crown Court at a previous hearing, also brutally beat one of his victims and dragged her around a house by her hair

He was subject to a suspended sentence for theft when he committed the offences after being convicted of stealing thousands of pounds from a cricket club where he was treasurer.

DC Nicola Kingdon of Kirklees CID said: ‘We welcome the very strong sentence given to Essex today for what have been horrendous sexual offences committed against two victims, as well as an offence of false imprisonment committed against one woman, and coercive behaviour against another.

‘It is no exaggeration to say he attempted to dominate every aspect of his victim’s lives and reacted with anger and violence when he was challenged.

‘His behaviour clearly had an appalling impact on both his victims and we wish to praise their courage and strength in helping bring a prosecution against him.

‘Essex is without doubt a real danger to women and this is reflected in the sentence he has been given.

‘West Yorkshire Police treat all forms of sexual offending with the utmost seriousness and we would always ask victims to come forwards and report offences to us, so we can take action to protect victims and other potential victims from them.’

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