A violent domestic abuser who tried to evade arrest by hiding inside a refrigerator has been jailed for three years after police discovered him crouching inside the appliance during a dramatic raid.
Bodycam footage released by Kent Police captured the moment officers searched a home in Rochester before opening the top section of a fridge and finding 33-year-old Dean Foord hiding inside. Despite initially resisting arrest, officers successfully pulled him out and took him into custody.
Foord was arrested in December 2025 after his victim reported enduring six months of mental and physical abuse. The case has highlighted the devastating impact of coercive and controlling behaviour, with police praising the victim’s courage in coming forward despite months of intimidation.
During the trial, Maidstone Crown Court heard that Foord controlled nearly every aspect of the victim’s life. He allegedly monitored her social media activity, forced her to cut ties with family and friends, and only allowed her to leave the house with his permission.
On one occasion, he reportedly locked the victim in a room and only released her after she barked like a dog. In another disturbing incident, he filmed himself threatening her with a knife while saying he would kill her. When the victim attempted to flee, Foord allegedly tracked her to another property and threw a brick through a window. He also threw a bucket of dirty water over her during another assault.
The court also heard that Foord spent the victim’s money on gambling, drugs, alcohol and scratch cards. When officers arrested him, they also found him in possession of cocaine.
Following a trial, Foord was convicted of actual bodily harm, criminal damage, making threats to kill, common assault, controlling and coercive behaviour, and possession of a Class A drug.
Investigating officer Police Constable George Fisher described Foord as “a violent bully” who used fear and intimidation to dominate his victim’s life.
“He tried to hide from officers in a fridge, but there are no hiding places. This case shows we will track offenders down and bring them to justice,” Fisher said, while also commending the victim for helping secure the conviction.
Foord, of Brooker Close, Rochester, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on June 30.
