A British court has sentenced a 28-year-old Libyan man to eight years in prison after convicting him of raping, assaulting, and falsely imprisoning his former partner during a three-day ordeal in Liverpool.
According to a report published by The Irish Sun, Qais Al-Essawi was found guilty of holding his former partner, 51-year-old Tracey McHarg, against her will, physically assaulting her, and subjecting her to sexual violence after she attempted to end their relationship.
Three-Day Captivity
McHarg told the court that she was trapped inside Al-Essawi’s home in Liverpool for three days after he persuaded her to return with him following an apparent reconciliation.
She said the abuse began the following night when he allegedly headbutted her, grabbed her by the neck, pressed his fingers into her eyes, threatened to kill her and gouge out her eyes, and prevented her from leaving by hiding her phone and keys.
According to her testimony, he sexually assaulted her the following morning while continuing to keep her confined inside the property.
Secret Plea for Help
McHarg said she briefly attempted to escape wearing only a towel but returned because she had neither her phone nor her shoes.
She later convinced Al-Essawi to allow her to travel to Hertfordshire, claiming she wanted to visit her ill grandson. During the train journey, she secretly photographed the severe bruising and swelling to her face and eyes before sending the images to a close friend.
The friend immediately alerted McHarg’s family, who contacted police. Officers subsequently arrested Al-Essawi at his Liverpool home.
McHarg told the newspaper she finally felt safe once he had been taken into custody.
Relationship Began Online
According to the report, McHarg, a former healthcare assistant employed at an NHS care home, had been single for a decade before receiving a Snapchat message from Al-Essawi in October 2024.
She said he initially claimed to be 34 years old, living in Liverpool and of Libyan origin. He later admitted he was actually 27, had recently arrived in the UK by small boat, and had obtained permission to remain through a work visa the previous year.
The pair exchanged messages for around three months before meeting on New Year’s Eve, after which their relationship developed.
McHarg said she forgave him for lying about his age because she had fallen in love with him.
Behaviour Changed After Moving In
McHarg moved in with Al-Essawi in April 2025 despite concerns raised by her family.
She told the court his behaviour changed within a week. He allegedly isolated her from friends and relatives, confiscated her phone, and forced her to keep calls on loudspeaker so he could monitor conversations.
She eventually ended the relationship and returned to Hertfordshire in May 2025. However, she said Al-Essawi later appeared at her home apologising and asking for another chance, leading to the events that resulted in his conviction.
Conviction and Sentence
McHarg gave evidence before Liverpool Crown Court in November 2025.
The jury convicted Al-Essawi of rape and assault, and the court sentenced him the following month to eight years’ imprisonment.
McHarg said she broke down in tears after the sentence was handed down, describing it as the moment her ordeal finally came to an end.
She added that she had been informed he could face deportation from the UK after completing his prison sentence, which had given her an increased sense of security.
Speaking Out
McHarg waived her legal right to anonymity in order to warn other women about coercive and abusive relationships.
She urged anyone experiencing controlling behaviour not to ignore warning signs, to speak to someone they trust, and to leave before the abuse escalates.
Although she is no longer working and continues to receive treatment for the physical and psychological effects of the abuse, she said she remains grateful that she did not lose her eyesight during the attack.
