Cheshire (England) - He met his partner online in 2021. Gareth Jones (41) built up a relationship with Sarah Rigby, who was the same age as him, until he got to know the dark side of his sweetheart better. The woman has since been sentenced to prison.

At first, the now 41-year-old would have showered him with affection: "How can this person be so loving?" the Brit thought to himself when he told the BBC about the early days.

Within a few months, however, the warm façade collapsed.

Jones was forced to move in with his partner and had to pay her rent, even though the house belonged to her father.

The man, who worked from home, was no longer allowed to leave the house, was therefore not given a key and was controlled by his partner in the worst possible way.

She prevented him from eating, showering or using the toilet.

Rigby also strictly monitored his cell phone messages and disparaged the victim as "fat, ugly or disgusting".

As soon as Gareth Jones resisted their strict instructions, the man was kicked, bitten or scratched bloody.

The victim lost up to 27 kilograms in weight due to the deprivation and the physical and psychological abuse.

At times, the man was only allowed to sleep on the floor without a blanket. At some point, the Briton finally managed to confide in the "Mankind Initiative".

They confirmed that he was suffering from domestic violence and he confided in the police .

The officers launched an investigation into Sarah Rigby. She was sentenced to 20 months in prison and must not approach the victim for the next 5 years.

Gareth Jones has suffered from low self-esteem since the abuse and is undergoing therapy. He receives support from his relatives, with whom he can now re-establish contact without fear of negative consequences.