A WOMAN from Denbighshire who was left “unrecognisable” to her own father after her ex-partner attacked her has told of how she “lost everything” as a result of his abuse.
Paul Jones, 52, of Rhyd-y-Foel, Betws-yn-Rhos, was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at Mold Crown Court on February 19, having assaulted Fiona Larminie, 58, on multiple occasions.
The couple, who met at an agricultural show and were together for 13 years, separated in 2022, with Jones having attacked her in February and May of that year.
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Following his sentencing, Ms Larminie has highlighted the extent to which Jones physically and psychologically damaged her, and urged other sufferers of domestic abuse not to be afraid to seek help.
She said: “I basically lost everything – my job, the relationship with my son, communication with my parents… he controlled everything.
“I have two grandchildren through my son, who I’ve never seen because of the fallout.
“I couldn’t see a way out of it. I felt, if I was just to leave, I’d be looking over my shoulder all the time, and I wanted to protect my family from him.
“He’d ground me down so much, and I would just walk on eggshells, keep the peace, and live every day just to survive.”
Mold Crown Court heard that, in February 2022, Jones punched Ms Larminie to the nose, and stamped on and kicked her, until she left the caravan they were in to spend the night in a hotel.
The following May, after accusing her of smoking, Jones pushed her to the floor before repeatedly punching her face, as well as cutting her arm with a key.
She then went to her parents’ home, but such was the damage caused to her face by Jones’ attack that her father did not initially recognise her.
He then later sent her a “barrage” of abusive messages, including telling her that she would “not be going to Heaven”, which Ms Larminie construed as a threat on her life.
Ms Larminie said she found it “very difficult” to give evidence at Jones’ seven-day trial, because “there was stuff I couldn’t feel able to say”.
When she photos of herself in court of the night in May 2022 when Jones attacked her, she said she was “nearly sick”.
Since leaving Jones and trying to rebuild her life, Ms Larminie said she has received “invaluable” support from North Wales Police and Domestic Abuse Safety Unit (DASU) North Wales.
Through DASU, she said, she found safety at a women’s refuge, and has received help from an independent domestic violence advisor.
She said: “I had no home, no income, no job, but it was absolutely the right place for me to go at that time, because they’re trained to help you get back on your feet. I can’t thank them enough.
“I’m getting there. I’ve gone back to counselling now that court has finished, which hung over me for a long time. That’s something I never want to go through again.”
Ms Larminie said she feels “safer” following Jones’ sentencing, which also saw him receive a 10-year restraining order.
She has regained contact with her parents, meanwhile, and has found a new home for herself.
“Before this, I’d worked for 30 years, I’d been married, I’d had my son… I was doing what every other individual does within their life, but it got stripped away from me,” she added.
“It was so hard to turn up at my parents’ house looking the way I did, and saying that he did this to me, because I knew it broke their hearts.
“My sister has been fantastic, too, helping me every step of the way. As she once said to me, it doesn’t matter what I’ve done, I don’t deserve to be hit.”
Ms Larminie also stressed that other domestic violence sufferers “have to value yourself” and know that help is at hand.
She added: “There is help out there, so don’t be afraid to speak up, whether it be confiding in your best friend, or sorting out a plan to leave (your partner).
“It’s not easy. I walked away with nothing, and the police had to retrieve all of my stuff, but don’t suffer in silence. Do tell someone.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of in speaking up; it just shows you are stronger than you think you are.
“There are organisations out there to help you, who are extremely good. The experiences I’ve had with them have been amazing, and I’ve gained new friendships from it.”
- Women can call The Freephone National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
- Men can call the Men's Advice Line on 0808 8010 327.
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