Jealous lover’s terrifying warning as he punched and dragged her into an underground bunker
Brutal thug jailed for four years after woman's terrifying 12-hour New Year's Eve ordeal
A JEALOUS lover tried to force his girlfriend inside an abandoned wartime bunker while telling her "no one will find you" during a terrifying New Year's Eve abduction.
Mark Hildreth, 42, subjected the mother of his child to a terrifying 12-hour ordeal, during which he repeatedly punched her in the face, after picking her up from drinks with workmates.
The violent brute drove a terrified Sarah Bentley through the pouring rain to a bunker, which he had discovered while metal detecting, and tried to force her into the pitch black interior.
Ms Bentley tried to run away more than once, falling and banging her head in the mud. Each time Hildreth caught her and dragged her back.
He told her "you are going to die tonight", "no one will find you there" and "the others didn't like it down there".
Eventually Hildreth drove them both back to the centre of York, continuing to punch his partner in the head.
When they got back to their home he locked her inside and threatened her with a mobile phone cable.
York Crown Court heard that Hildreth's brutal actions were motivated by jealousy, because he believed Ms Bentley was cheating on him and wanted to scare a confession out of her.
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The victim's mother sensed there was a problem after speaking to Ms Bentley early on New Year's Day and called the police.
Her ordeal finally ended when Hildreth took her to a nearby pub and she was able to get a message to her mother.
Hildreth of Leek, Staffordshire, fled, but was later traced and arrested.
He earlier admitted and had been sentenced for assault.
He then pleaded guilty to abduction and false imprisonment after Ms Bentley told cops the full extent of her ordeal and decided to press charges.
Jailing him for four years Judge Deborah Sherwin described the crimes as "appalling".
She added: "It was pitch black and pouring with rain and I am sure Ms Bentley must have been terrified."
Prosecutor Kitty Taylor said: "He picked Ms Bentley up after she had been for post-work drinks in the city centre at around 9pm.
"Instead of taking her back to the home they shared in the south of York he drove erratically along the A64 and threw her phone out of the window."
Andrew Semple, mitigating, said: "Little can be said to justify his behaviour and of course I do not attempt to do that.
"But he had been badly affected by the death of his mother and uncle and I ask you to give him credit for pleading guilty as early as possible."
Hildreth was also given a restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Bentley or her parents.
Detective Inspector Jackie Smart said: "It took immense bravery for the victim in this case to open up and talk to the police about what had happened to her.
"Hildreth is a violent and intimidating man who now faces four years in prison where he will have time to reflect on the appalling violence he put his victim through.
"No-one should have to live with such fear and I hope the outcome of this case gives other victims the courage to come forward and seek the help that is available to them."