Claire Alex took her own life just four days after reporting 11 months of abuse from her Tinder girlfriend, Kathryn White. White, 41, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison on Friday, July 31, after being found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour.
Campaign of Abuse
White and Alex met on Tinder in August 2021. The relationship turned abusive, ending in July 2022 when White grabbed Alex by the neck, pinned her to a wall, threatened to kill herself, took her phone, and threw her to the floor.
Alex told police she had "completely lost herself" and felt "broken" after the torment. Four days later, she was dead.
Court Details
Liverpool Crown Court heard White threatened to stab Alex on one occasion and slapped her outside her workplace after a colleague hugged her. Prosecutor Ember Jade Wong said White controlled what Alex did, who she spoke to, and isolated her from friends and family, including her own children.
Rosemary Proctor, defending, said White, a former army officer, had depression, anxiety, and ADHD, and had suffered sexual trauma. She said character references showed White could be compassionate and generous.
Judge's Remarks
The judge said White's behaviour was "a prolonged and persistent campaign of psychological and physical abuse." He noted her "cold, collected attitude with absolutely no remorse, shame or empathy" during the trial, and criticised her "flippant and jokey remarks."
For support, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
