British domestic abuse survivor Lucy Godley has drawn public attention after revealing how she secretly collected evidence against her former partner, Ben Siddle, who received a 23-year sentence following his conviction for serious offences. Her experience became a major talking point after she appeared alongside her mother, Sharon, in a September 2026 radio interview.
The Portsmouth mother described more than two years of violence, intimidation and controlling behaviour during her relationship with Siddle. Despite fearing for her safety and that of her children, she preserved photographs and messages that eventually helped investigators build a criminal case.
On September 21, 2026, Lucy and Sharon discussed their experience on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, explaining how they worked together to preserve evidence without alerting Siddle.
So, who is Lucy Godley’s ex-partner, and what happened during their relationship? Here is what is known about Ben Siddle, the abuse allegations, his conviction and Lucy’s life after the case.
Who Is Ben Siddle?
Ben Siddle is Lucy Godley’s former boyfriend, who was convicted of multiple offences involving violence, sexual assault and intimidation.
Siddle, who was reported as living in Willow Park, Havant, Hampshire, became the subject of a criminal investigation following incidents involving Godley between August 2021 and October 2023.
The case was heard at Portsmouth Crown Court, where a jury found him guilty of 10 offences. He subsequently received an 18-year prison sentence with a five-year extended licence period, making the total sentence 23 years.
His conviction brought attention to the prolonged abuse Godley experienced and the evidence she had collected while still living under his control.
Details about Siddle’s age, parents, education and professional background have not been widely established through reliable public reporting.
Their Relationship
Lucy Godley began dating Ben Siddle in 2021, shortly after separating from her previous long-term partner, with whom she had a son.
According to Lucy, Siddle initially appeared considerate and understanding. He respected her responsibilities as a mother and told her that introducing him to her son would happen whenever she felt comfortable.
Those early interactions made the relationship appear promising. However, Lucy later recognised behaviours that she initially overlooked, including his interest in monitoring where she went and what she was doing.
As their relationship progressed, these behaviours became increasingly controlling.
Lucy has explained that the change was gradual, making it difficult to recognise the seriousness of the situation during the early months.
When Did the Abuse Start?
Godley has said that physical violence began when she was approximately five months pregnant with Siddle’s child.
Although he initially appeared pleased about the pregnancy, she recalled that his behaviour changed and he began accusing her of infidelity.
The violence continued during her pregnancy and after the birth of their daughter.
Lucy described being subjected to physical assaults, threats and psychological manipulation. She also reported that Siddle threatened members of her family, increasing her fear about what might happen if she attempted to leave.
During one particularly serious incident, Siddle punched and kicked her, including while she was on the floor. He also threw a diffuser and poured its contents onto her face, causing burns.
The repeated assaults left Lucy concerned about her own safety and the wellbeing of her children.
How Lucy Collected Evidence
One of the most important developments in the case was Lucy’s decision to begin documenting what happened.
She photographed visible injuries and preserved messages connected to the abuse. Initially, she said, the records were intended to help her trust her own recollection of events.
Lucy explained that Siddle sometimes denied responsibility for injuries and suggested that she had caused them herself. Keeping photographs helped her challenge those claims.
However, storing evidence on her phone was dangerous because Siddle could potentially discover or delete it.
By the end of 2022, Lucy had begun involving her mother, Sharon, sending her photographs and messages for safekeeping.
This arrangement proved important when some material was reportedly removed from Lucy’s phone. Sharon had already retained copies, ensuring that evidence remained available.
The documentation later became part of the investigation that resulted in Siddle’s prosecution.
Her Mother’s Support
Sharon Godley played a significant role throughout her daughter’s experience.
While Lucy remained in the relationship, Sharon quietly preserved the material she received, knowing that discovering their arrangement could expose Lucy to further danger.
The two women later discussed the emotional consequences of collecting evidence over an extended period.
During their September 2026 interview with presenter Nuala McGovern, they described how frightening the situation had become and why maintaining a reliable record mattered.
Their joint appearance also revealed the pressure placed on relatives who are trying to support someone experiencing domestic abuse.
Sharon’s involvement helped ensure that investigators could access information that might otherwise have been lost.
Why Was Siddle Jailed?
Ben Siddle was convicted of 10 offences following a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.
The convictions included three counts of assault by penetration, three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of assault by beating, witness intimidation and criminal damage.
In April 2026, he received an 18-year custodial sentence with an additional five-year extended licence period.
He was also made subject to a restraining order and required to remain on the sex offender register indefinitely.
The case involved offences committed between August 2021 and October 2023, with evidence concerning repeated physical violence and intimidation.
Godley’s preserved photographs and messages helped establish the pattern of abuse.
Siddle was subsequently reported to be pursuing an appeal. No confirmed outcome overturning his conviction has been established in the information reviewed.
Does Lucy Have Children?
Lucy Godley is a mother of two children, a son from an earlier relationship and a daughter she shares with Siddle.
She has spoken about how her responsibilities as a parent influenced her decisions during the abusive relationship.
Concerns about her children’s safety and threats involving family members made the situation especially difficult.
Following the criminal proceedings, Lucy has continued protecting her children’s privacy while discussing her own experiences publicly.
She has not disclosed extensive personal information about their everyday lives.
Where Is Ben Siddle Now?
Ben Siddle was sentenced in April 2026 and is serving the custodial portion of his sentence, subject to any subsequent legal developments.
His sentence includes an extended licence period, meaning the full 23 years should not be interpreted as 23 years entirely spent in prison.
Meanwhile, Lucy Godley has continued speaking publicly about domestic abuse and the difficulties survivors encounter when seeking protection.
She has also described the emotional strain of the justice process, explaining that she nearly withdrew from the proceedings despite receiving support from individual police officers.
Her September 2026 interview brought renewed attention to the case and the role her mother played in preserving evidence.
For Lucy, the conviction marked the end of a prolonged legal struggle. Her public account now contributes to wider discussions about coercive control, survivor protection and the challenges of reporting abuse.