OXFORDSHIRE MAN GETS RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST EX-WIFE
A disgraced former husband has been sentenced after a 'disgusting campaign of violence' against his ex-wife who was left feeling 'like a prisoner in her own home'.Tony Gibbons, of Maple Avenue, Kidlington, had been married to the victim for 12 years and they had been together for 20, a court heard.
However, during the Covid pandemic the relationship deteriorated to Gibbons, 43, physically and mentally abusing the woman.
He was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday, October 20 after pleading guilty to stalking involving fear of violence from March to June this year.
The court heard that after the divorce, Gibbons sent a number of abusive text messages to his ex-wife and was paranoid she was using dating apps and seeing other men.
Gibbons reportedly said to her: "If you get an order against me, it will make things 10 times worse." The defendant also attended the woman's parents' home on multiple occasions, knocking on the windows and door.
A victim impact statement was read out on behalf of the victim.
It said: "When he was remanded in custody, I was in shock and felt sorry for him.
But I have felt a peace and have realised how unhappy I have been." "He was abusive, physically and mentally.
It was a toxic environment.
He would harass me daily.
My mental health has been severely affected.
I can't sleep properly.
I'm constantly exhausted.
I felt like a prisoner in my own home.
I can't concentrate at work, it was overwhelming." The statement added: "He has his own rules and doesn't care about the consequences.
I never want to go through anything like this again.
I just want to live my life in peace.
Since he has been remanded, I have just been able to get on with my life." In mitigating, Kelly Purcell-Chandler said: "He is remorseful.
He wants the court to know how sorry he is and that he will never engage in this behaviour again." "He accepts that his response to the breakdown of the marriage has not been acceptable." The court heard that Gibbons had been in custody since June 23.
The Judge, Mr Recorder John Bate-Williams, said: "This was a three-month period when you did all you could to make her life a frightening misery.
This had been a normal relationship until the global catastrophe of the Covid pandemic." The Judge told the court that one of the messages said: "As soon as I get arrested, this is war." The Judge added: "Your disgusting campaign of violence was so serious." Gibbons was handed a 24-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within 12 months and 15 rehabilitation activity days.
He was also handed an indefinite restraining order.
