A court heard that a 42-year-old man beat his wife in a terrifying attack on a dark country lane. Thomas Walker pursued his wife for more than a mile along roads after she fled their home in Kentisbeare. He screamed drunken abuse, punched and kicked her. Her ordeal ended only when she reached a lighted road. Walker then noticed her injuries and started pleading for forgiveness.
Exeter Crown Court heard the woman was so frightened during the incident that she thought she would not be able to escape and would be killed. Walker admitted assault causing ABH at Exeter Magistrates Court and was given a suspended sentence with unpaid work.
The incident happened overnight on December 30-31 of last year. Drunken Walker came home in a bad mood and an argument escalated, said prosecutor Warjinder Bains. She left the house and walked towards Uffculme. Walker followed her, shouting, screaming and being abusive. Along a dark country lane he punched and shoved her over, said the prosecutor. While she was on the ground, he kicked her in the mouth. When Walker saw how swollen her face was, he asked her to come home. She used his phone to call police.
"It was a sustained beating and lasted some time," said the prosecutor. The victim said in a statement: "I genuinely feared for my life. I repeatedly pleaded with him to stop attacking me. It continued for one and a half miles in dark county lanes. I was completely vulnerable and unable to escape. I continue to fear fearful and anxious."
Walker, representing himself, said he was 'totally ashamed'. He added: "It's horrific and should never have happened. I'm truly sorry." He said the pair had been married for more than 20 years and were now getting divorced.
District Judge Stuart Smith said there was no excuse for his behaviour. "She genuinely feared for her life and thought she would be seriously injured or killed." He accepted Walker was sorry and sentenced him to 30 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. He must do 15 days on a better relationships course with probation, 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £234.
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