Former university student Matthew Hyde, who held his ex-girlfriend captive for three days while repeatedly assaulting her, was sentenced to 13 years and 9 months in prison on Tuesday afternoon.

The 21-year-old pleaded guilty on September 26 to assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, use of malicious communication, four counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and false imprisonment.

He has been in custody since February 2023.

Reacting to the sentence handed down by Justice Carolyn Tie-Powell, Hyde’s attorney, Patrick Peterkin, told IRIE FM News that he had expected a larger reduction in sentence due to his client’s guilty plea.

The attorney said he is discussing the possibility of an appeal with his client.