Video footage has captured the moment a violent abuser who threatened to strangle and stab his partner was caught after a frantic police chase through a river.
Luke Seffens, 34, was tracked down and arrested on July 31 after a police dog led officers through the woods near Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Body-worn camera footage shows an officer leaping over fallen trees and wading through a river as he pursues Seffens and shouts at him to stop.
Finally, the officer catches up with a panting Seffens, who has cuts across his torso and rips in his trousers.
Seffens was arrested and later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, controlling or coercive behaviour, escape from lawful custody and criminal damage.
Last Tuesday, the violent offender was jailed for just under five years.
In the video, the officer can be heard shouting ‘hey you – stay where you are!’ and commanding police dog Elsa to ‘hold him!’
The officer grabs onto a shirtless Seffens and tackles him to the ground while Elsa circles the pair, her tail wagging.
Luke Seffens (pictured), 34, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, false imprisonment, controlling or coercive behaviour, escape from lawful custody and criminal damage
Pictured: Body-worn camera footage shows an officer catching Seffens after a frantic chase
Pictured: The officer catches up with a panting Seffens, who has cuts across his torso and rips in his trousers
Police dog Elsa tracked Seffens to the woodland and she and assisted police in chasing him down.
When Seffens is placed under arrest, he gestures to Elsa and says to the officer: ‘Don’t let it bite me, please.’
Seffens was first arrested on December 5, 2023, after he tormented his partner in an attack which saw him beat her repeatedly and smash a coffee mug over her head.
During the brutal assault, he refused to let his victim leave the property and threatened to stab and strangle her.
After his arrest, it emerged that he had carried out a campaign of sustained abuse against the victim between September and December, 2023.
This included random violent acts, forcing her to take photos on her phone to prove where she was and following the victim to her workplace.
Detective Constable Max Jordan of Kent Police, said: ‘Seffens abused, isolated, and tormented his victim during the vast majority of their relationship.
‘He used fear, violence, and intimidation to exert control over almost every aspect of her life and his actions have caused immeasurable fear and distress.’
Police dog Elsa (pictured) tracked Seffens to a woodland and she and officers chased him down
Last Tuesday, the violent offender (pictured) was jailed for just under five years
Before his re-arrest in July, Seffens’s bail conditions ordered him not to contact the victim but he ignored these instructions and continued to do so.
DC Jordan continued: ‘The victim has shown incredible courage and strength to give evidence and I hope this sentence will afford them the time and space needed to help break away from Seffens’s control and allow her to move on with her life.’
He urged all victims of domestic abuse to come forward and encouraged them to feel confident in the knowledge they will receive the best possible service.
‘Remember, you are not to blame for what is happening and you can report it to us or contact several support organisations who can and will help you.’
Seffens was charged and granted conditional bail pending the outcome of his trial.
During his sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, Seffens was jailed for four years and nine months and made subject to an indefinite restraining order.
