A WEST Somerset man has been jailed for a sustained campaign of assaults against his wife, including with a baseball bat.

Ashley Jeanes, aged 29, assaulted and injured his wife, who is not being named, on multiple occasions between March, 2019, and January, 2020.

She reported the abuse to police and following an extensive investigation Jeanes was sentenced to three years and one month in prison by a judge in Taunton Crown Court.

Jeanes pleaded guilty to one charge of controlling and coercive behaviour and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard two charges related to Jeanes attacking his wife with a baseball bat and a broom.

On another occasion, Jeanes submerged her head under water and she feared she was going to be drowned.

She suffered bruising and a cut to her forehead leaving a permanent scar.

The abuse had a significant impact on her mental wellbeing and she now finds it difficult to trust anybody.

She told police: “I think the biggest thing for me, that broke my heart, was constantly hearing my mum tell me she was waiting for a phone call from the police, saying I had been murdered.”

The police officer in the case, DC Jessica Bennett, said: “It is hard to put into words the horrific ordeal she endured over a significant period of time at the hands of a man who wanted to control her life.

“She showed incredible strength to report to us what had happened.

“Quite simply, without that, Ashley Jeanes would not find himself in prison, and she deserves enormous credit for that.

“Jeanes’ brutal assaults and controlling behaviour did not just make her life a misery, it made her actually fear for her life.

“To the world, Jeanes presented himself as a loving husband, but now everybody knows the monstrous truth of what a violent man he really is.

“Although she preferred for us not to use her full name, she wanted to share her story to make sure people knew what the real Ashley Jeanes was like, and we hope it provides anybody who is a victim of domestic assault with the confidence to tell us what has happened.

“We work closely with other agencies so we can help ensure victims of domestic abuse are kept safe.

“We will investigate all reports to try to bring the perpetrator to justice because they, and only they, are responsible for domestic abuse happening.

“But if any victim does not feel in a position to contact the police, please report it to Next Link or the National Domestic Abuse Helpline who will be able to provide you with support initially and advice.”

Anybody who needs support or is concerned about somebody else can contact:

For more information on how to spot or report domestic abuse and information on the process, visit: Report domestic abuse/Avon and Somerset Police.