06/11/2006

Woman jailed for turning sister-in-law into sex slave

A mother-of-six who forced her sister-in-law to become her domestic slave has been jailed for seven years at York Crown Court.

Antonia Pearson-Gaballonie, 35, was found guilty of false imprisonment, making threats to kill and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in September.

The court heard how she abused Veronica Sandeman, now 26, over a two-year period, forcing her to work naked and beg for food.

The assaults took place between New Year's Eve 2002 and Christmas Day 2004.

Judge Paul Hoffman said that Pearson-Gaballonie had been "callous and brutal" to her sister-in-law and also noted that she had gone to great lengths to avoid the trial, including an attempt to commit suicide.

Pearson-Gaballonie's partner, Neil Pearson, 35, was sentenced to two years for aiding and abetting an assault.

The court heard how Pearson had helped his wife to beat Miss Sandeman, giving her a belt to hit her with. He also held her arms while Pearson-Gaballonie hacked off Miss Sandeman's hair and jabbed at her face with scissors.

(KMcA)


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