A 'controlling and manipulative' man who kept a woman captive in a Great Yarmouth bedsit and abused two young boys by stubbing out cigarettes on them has been jailed for six years.

And the Norfolk police detective who investigated the crimes of 29-year-old Daniel Barber branded it 'one of the most horrendous cases' he had dealt with.

Norwich Crown Court heard how Barber was involved in a campaign of 'sustained abuse' on a 42-year-old woman, keeping her tied up in a bedsit in Great Yarmouth, stubbing out cigarettes on her and cutting her with glass.

Barber, 29, admitted he had bound and tied the victim to a kitchen cupboard and on another occasion had also tied her up with masking tape and left her in a shower, the court heard.

He also admitted punching and kicking the victim and stubbing out cigarettes on her and cutting her with broken glass.

Stephen Spence, prosecuting, said the abuse came to light after the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found by police walking on the A12 towards Lowestoft, and had substantial facial injuries and bruising.

Barber, of School Road, Great Yarmouth, admitted two counts of false imprisonment and three counts of causing actual bodily harm to the victim.

He also admitted four counts of assault on two boys under the age of 13, in the town between May 1 and June 30, 2014, plus one count of child abduction involving one of the children.

Police said the boys, who also cannot be identified, were also subjected to abuse, including being burned with cigarettes and punched and kicked.

Judge Anthony Bate jailed Barber for six years and ordered that he be on an extended four year licence on his release.

He said Barber had been a prime mover in the 'sustained abuse' and said: 'What led to you offending so callously to a lady that had done you no harm we will never know.'

Michael Clare, for Barber, said that he deserved credit for his guilty plea. He said: 'He is deeply ashamed of his behaviour.'

Barber was handed a 10 year extended sentence which will see him serve six years in prison and four years on licence.

Detective Constable Tristan Coull, of Norfolk Constabulary's Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: 'It is true to say this is one of the most horrendous cases I have come across in my time working within the Child Abuse Unit.

'The children suffered terrible physical and mental abuse at the hands of Barber and although they have recovered well from their ordeal it has undoubtedly left them emotionally scarred.

'All victims have been incredibly brave in speaking to the police and I hope such a sentence will help each of them in their road to recovery.'

Barber's co-defendant Laura Jean Matthews, 27, of the same address, who was found guilty at Norwich Crown Court in January of assault and child abduction, involving the same two boys.

She was previously acquitted of another count of assault involving Barber's victim. She is due to be sentenced on Thursday 16 June 2016.