Domestic abuse victim helps Birmingham police jail man who threatened to kill her

A dangerous Birmingham abuser has been jailed for 13 years for rape and assault after his victim bravely came forward and told police what he had done her to.

Jacen McCalla had been in a relationship with the woman but his behaviour changed and he went on to subject her to numerous assaults and rapes for several years. In one attack, after she'd cut herself on a broken glass, McCalla punched and kicked her, banged her head against a wall and repeatedly tried to strangle her.

He would constantly call his victim, demanding to know where she was and on one occasion he held a knife to her throat and said he would kill her. Over time his victim found the strength to end the relationship and contacted police to disclose what had happened to her.

West Midlands Police has told how she was supported by specialist investigators as officers compiled evidence to bring a prosecution and then throughout the subsequent court hearings. McCalla, aged 50, denied the allegations both in police interview and during his trial, but on November 16 he was convicted of two counts of rape, two assaults and threats to kill.

On Monday (February 27) McCalla, of Huntly Road, Edgbaston, was jailed for 13 years at Birmingham Crown Court. The judge described him as a dangerous offender and ordered that after release McCalla will be on licence for a further five years. McCalla will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life and has been given a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

DC Craig Hall from our Abuse Investigation Team, said: "McCalla's pattern of behaviour - the violence, threats and intimidation - was endured by his victim for a number of years. But with her strength and support we've been able to bring this prosecution and see McCalla put behind bars for many years to come.”

How West Midlands Police can help domestic abuse victims

A spokesperson for WMP said: “If you are a victim of domestic abuse or coercive control, we have specially trained officers who can help. We also work with a number of other agencies and charities who can support you.”  To find out more visit: Domestic Abuse | Your Options | West Midlands Police (west-midlands.police.uk)