Sidcup abuser who assaulted girlfriend cries as he's jailed

Courage Ekhator, 33, previously of Etfield Road in Sidcup, attacked his then-girlfriend before trying to stop her from calling the police while holding a knife, a court heard. 

He then threatened to kill her and told her he would rape her mum and burn her caravan down. 

When a judge sentenced him to two years and two months in prison on Monday (April 22), Ekhator sobbed and cried out “I cannot do it”. 

Courage Ekhator (Image: Kent Police)

'Threats to kill'

Ekhator, who has previous convictions for threatening to kill an ex-partner and causing criminal damage to an ex’s home, admitted four charges including assault occasioning actual bodily harm. 

At his sentencing hearing at Woolwich Crown Court, Judge Ben Gumpert KC detailed how on a date in Summer 2022 Ekhator and his partner had been drinking. 

“There was an argument and he punched the victim a number of times,” Judge Gumpert said. 

The assault left her bleeding and she had bruises across her body, the court heard. 

“Perhaps most concerningly, he then tried to stop her from calling the police, holding a knife at the time,” Judge Gumpert said. 

Ekhator had assaulted the same woman just days before this horror attack. 

On that occasion he tripped her up, causing injuries to her elbow. 

After the incident Ekhator phoned the victim and told her he was going to kill her with a knife, Judge Gumpert said. 

On another occasion he phoned her and threatened to rape her mum and set her caravan on fire, the court heard. 

Ekhator claimed he was “incredibly embarrassed and sorry” for his behaviour. 

But Judge Gumpert said Ekhator tried to play down his offending, claiming she had attacked him first. 

He later accepted the prosecution’s case, which is that she had not attacked him. 

Judge Gumpert sentenced Ekhator to 26 months in prison. 

As he was taken down to the court cells Ekhator cried and shouted “I cannot do it”.