Domestic violence victim urges others to report abuse (From The Northern Echo)

Domestic violence victim urges others to report abuse

8:30am Monday 30th January 2012 in Northallerton By Andy Walker

A WOMAN whose violent husband was last week jailed for sexually assaulting her has urged others in abusive relationships not to suffer in silence.

Supermarket baker Kristian Wheldon appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Monday and admitted two charges of assault against his wife.

The 41-year-old was jailed for two years and four months for what the judge described as a “humiliating and degrading” act, carried out at the woman’s home, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, last year.

His estranged wife, Christine, has waived her right to anonymity to speak out about her ten-year marriage to Wheldon, who the court heard was a controlling husband.

Mrs Wheldon, who is now protected from her husband by a restraining order, candidly admitted wanting to end her life, such was the extent of her unhappiness.

She said: “A lot of people who suffer domestic abuse feel ashamed, feel that they are to blame “It got to the point where I did not recognise myself in the mirror or like myself any more.

“People know me as a strong, cheeky person - stubborn when I want to be. But there have been times when I just have not wanted to be here.”

She said Wheldon, who was placed on the sex offenders’ register, gave the impression of being a “proper gentleman” in public, but it was a different story behind closed doors.

The court was told that similar allegations had been made in the past, but they had been withdrawn on numerous occasions.

Mrs Wheldon eventually found the strength to sustain a complaint against her husband, resulting in the court case.

She has praised police and charities - including the Northallerton branch of the Independent Domestic Abuse Service (IDAS) - for the support she has received.

She added: “I would advise anyone in my position to find the courage to get help. Suffering in silence can destroy you.”

Mrs Wheldon is now rebuilding her life and hopes to go to college.

Rod Hunt, Wheldon’s barrister, told Judge John Walford: “The defendant accepts he is to blame for the incidents. He realised this is not how you treat someone when you genuinely love them.”

Jailing Wheldon, the judge said: “There had been a background of violence and coercion, and the activity in which you indulged was intentionally humiliating and degrading.”

:: The Northern Echo has agreed to make a donation to IDAS as a gesture of support to organisations that help domestic abuse victims.