Television presenter Ruth Dodsworth has described the release of her abusive ex-husband from prison as the 'start of a whole new chapter' of her life. Jonathan Wignall was sentenced to three years for stalking and coercive and controlling behaviour.
Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Ms Dodsworth said not knowing when or where he would be released was 'tough'. However, she emphasised that her life now is a 'world away' from the fear she lived with for decades. 'Those scary things, those demons, those monsters every day become less and less of an issue,' she said.
Ms Dodsworth, who was married to Wignall for almost 18 years, said it took her years to recognise the abuse. 'It nearly destroyed me,' she said. 'But I'm still alive and I'm still well and I have that story to tell.' She also highlighted the ongoing uncertainty, saying it 'heightens that sense of looking over your shoulder'.
During the trial, Cardiff Crown Court heard that Wignall called his wife up to 200 times a day, demanded she leave work to eat lunch with him, and deleted contacts from her phone. Ms Dodsworth stressed that domestic abuse 'takes its toll in so many ways and it's not just bruises'.
Despite the challenges, Ms Dodsworth, who has since remarried, said life is 'really good' now. She continues to urge others to speak out about coercive control, saying she has 'a duty to the people who've contacted me and shared their stories with me to keep this conversation going'.
