A husband who engaged in violent behavior towards his wife during a holiday in Benidorm has been sentenced to jail. Andrew Stockman, aged 54, ejected his wife, Sandra, from their holiday accommodation for two days following an outburst in the well-known tourist destination. The court revealed that the holiday trip, which occurred during the Christmas period last year, was intended to be a much-needed escape for the long-time couple who had been together since their teenage years.
The altercation proved to be the breaking point for Sandra, who had endured a series of abusive incidents, as stated by the judge. Prosecutor Richard Edwards highlighted that their marital issues came to a head during their Christmas trip to Spain in 2024.
During their time in Benidorm, Mrs. Stockman was caring for a sick friend who eventually passed away. Despite informing Stockman about the situation, he prevented her from returning home to attend the funeral. Consequently, she was left without a passport after being evicted from their apartment. Mr. Edwards recounted the distressing events, mentioning that she had to sneak back into the apartment to retrieve her passport for the journey back home.
It took Stockman several days to inquire about her whereabouts, and upon his return, he acknowledged that their relationship had reached its end. Describing years of physical abuse, including kicking, punching, and strangulation, Mr. Edwards revealed that Mrs. Stockman had been subjected to repeated acts of violence.
The couple, who operated a bed and breakfast establishment, is currently going through a divorce at Caernarfon Crown Court. Most of the abusive incidents occurred when Stockman was intoxicated, with physical assaults occurring on a monthly basis. Although the physical violence had seemingly ceased in recent years, the mental and verbal abuse persisted.
In a statement detailing the impact of the abuse, Ms. Stockman expressed profound anguish over the control and manipulation she endured, realizing that it was not an expression of love. She lamented the lost years spent in a state of fear, feeling emotionally drained and deprived of autonomy.
Ms. Stockman described her relationship as a constant emotional struggle, leading to significant distress. Stockman, from Llay, North Wales, admitted to engaging in coercive and controlling behavior. Judge Timothy Petts sentenced Stockman to three years and five months, condemning the frequent physical, verbal, and emotional abuse inflicted upon his wife, including threats of harm and an overall history of appalling abuse.