A man has been found guilty of rape after throwing a fully-clothed woman into a bath and repeatedly holding her under the water by her neck. Damon Furmedge, 36, from Winsford, Cheshire, was also convicted of assault and two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour following a trial at Chester Crown Court.
Background of the case
The case began in November 2024 when Cheshire Police received an anonymous call expressing concern about Furmedge's behaviour. During the call, the caller was initially scared to disclose information, but after officers gained the woman's trust, she revealed how she had been raped, strangled, and abused by Furmedge.
The victim told officers that the first assault occurred when Furmedge threw her, fully clothed, into a bath full of water and held her under the water by her neck. He did this twice, leaving her terrified that she was going to die. What followed was a series of threats, violence, and controlling behaviour that made her so scared she considered taking her own life to escape.
Controlling behaviour and surveillance
The woman reported that Furmedge had installed cameras and microphones in her home, monitored her movements by tracking her phone, and threatened to harm her. Detective Constable Hannah Lamborn from Northwich CID stated: "The level of intimidation and violence was terrifying for the victim, who wanted to report Furmedge but was scared of the repercussions."
DC Lamborn added: "The anonymous call that night gave her the courage to speak out about her ordeal. I think that's a vital example of how concerned friends and family can call out this horrific behaviour and help their loved one break free. I would personally like to thank the victim for her courage in supporting the police investigation so that justice could be served. Our officers are here to help you, with the assistance of specialist agencies, to break the cycle of abuse and get the perpetrator away from you and convict them of their abhorrent crimes."
Trial and sentencing
The eight-day trial at Chester Crown Court concluded on May 29, 2026. Furmedge was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on July 17, 2026. The case follows other recent convictions in the area, including a teenager sentenced to 10 years for raping a girl in Crewe, and a man from Winsford jailed for sexual offences against young girls dating back to 1989.
