Domestic abuser is jailed after his victim whispered a plea for help to a bus driver in Hove

James Sinden, 43, of no fixed address, was sentenced to four years at Brighton Crown Court for assault by penetration, with a concurrent one-year term for false imprisonment. On November 9, 2025, his victim whispered a plea for help to the bus driver while the two were travelling together. The driver put Sinden off the bus, carried on to ensure her safety and then called police. A seven-year restraining order was imposed alongside the custodial sentence.

The bus driver was commended by the court for his role in bringing Sinden to justice.

Sinden was handed an additional three months for breaching a suspended sentence and a community order.

DS Rod Davis praised the victim's courage in coming forward about the 'horrific abuse' she suffered.