The Alex Skeel Domestic Abuse Case

Jordan Worth and Alex Skeel met in college in 2012. Both 16 years old, they hit it off and began dating. Soon thereafter, Jordan and Alex moved in together. The couple started out happy, like most relationships, and even birthed two children.

Jordan was always very controlling over Alex. She demanded he not wear gray pants and picked his hairstyle. He didn’t think much of the behavior, assuming it was normal.

Later diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition caused by a buildup of fluid in the skull, Alex needed love and support more than ever. Instead, the abuse worsened.

Jordan beat her boyfriend with hard objects like hammers and refused to take him to the hospital for treatment for his medical condition. Jordan poured boiling hot water on his arms and provided him with cling wrap to cover his burns. Pouring hot water on Alex as he slept was a regular hobby for Jordan. She blacked his eyes on multiple occasions and witnesses often saw Alex walking with a limp or his arm in a sling.

The Abuse

Jordan starved Alex, stabbed him with knives, and forced him to sleep on the floor. By now, Alex assumed all the things he experienced were normal things in relationships.

Although, when concerned neighbors heard arguments and screams and called the police, Alex told responding officers the injuries were self-inflicted. This trait of making excuses for abusive behavior is common amongst abuse victims.

Alex Confides in an Officer

After three years of abuse, an officer finally convinced Alex that it was okay to talk. Alex finally told officers that his girlfriend, the small, petite woman whom he cared so deeply for, abused him. He told officers he stayed with Jordan because she threatened to run him over and kill him if he ever left.

Police arrested Jordan and Alex moved back in with his family. Alex weighed less than 100-pounds at the time. He visited a doctor for open, infected wounds Jordan caused. Doctors told him he was about 10 days from death.

Case Aftermath

In April 2018, the Bedfordshire woman was sentenced to 7 ½ years in prison. At her trial, Jordan admitted to controlling Alex, wounding with intent, and causing grievous bodily harm.

Jordan was released in 2022 after serving half of her sentence. An indefinite restraining order prevents her from making any type of contact with Alex.

Alex Skeel told his story in a BBC Three documentary titled Abused By My Girlfriend. The documentary first aired in 2019. Alex also speaks against abuse, especially that against men. He serves as an ambassador for the domestic violence charity, The Mankind Initiative.

Domestic Violence Statistics

In the United Kingdom, a total of 845,734 domestic violence crimes were reported to police in 2021, a 6% increase from the previous year when 798,607 crimes were reported.

An estimated one in 10 victims of domestic violence is male. Statistics may be much higher than estimated numbers considering the high number of unreported cases of domestic violence.

Domestic violence helplines in the UK:

ENGLAND: Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Hotline 0808 2000 247

NORTHERN IRELAND: Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 1414

SCOTLAND: Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Hotline 0800 027 123

Best wishes to Alex. Be sure to check out his documentary on BBC if you've not watched it already.

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Resources & More Information:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/domesticabuseinenglandandwalesoverview/november2021#:~:text=Police%20recorded%20crime-,Domestic%20abuse%2Drelated%20crimes,increases%20seen%20over%20previous%20years.