A WOMAN from Rhyl who was physically and psychologically abused by her former husband has told of the extent of the damage he caused, and encouraged anyone in similar situations to speak out.

Lisa Morgan, 43, was married to Paul Smith, 47, for 24 years, during which time they had four children and ran a deliveries and home clearances business together.

Smith was sentenced to 48 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and handed a five-year restraining order, at Mold Crown Court on Monday (February 13).

The court heard how, in November 2021, Smith poured the contents of an Oasis drink bottle over her head while she was driving, and threw a bottle of hand sanitiser at her, striking her temple.

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Ms Morgan said she feels like she now has a “new life” and is determined to make the best of it for her children.

She said: “I do feel like he’s got away with it, but at least I’ve got this five-year restraining order now. I know that if he does anything now, he’s going straight to prison.

“I hated going out; I’d put my hood up to go into town. There was a lot of coercive control which I put up with for years. I had no friends, because if I did, he didn’t like them. My whole family were pushed away.

“Now, I can go out and not have to worry about being tracked on my phone, or about who I’ve spoken to, or about having 100 missed calls. It’s like having a new life.”

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On December 29, 2021, Ms Morgan contacted police for fear that he “might harm himself because of his abuse and aggression demonstrated that day” in front of her and their children.

Smith was arrested during the early hours of the following day, before Ms Morgan contacted police on six further occasions within the next three weeks due to “unwanted contact”.

Their relationship ended during that time, with Ms Morgan saying that, for much of their 24 years together, she was accused by Smith of being unfaithful.

These allegations led Ms Morgan to become a “recluse”, she added.

Ms Morgan said: “The night he was arrested, it was 1am and he was screaming. He got the kids out of bed; they were being sick, they were that scared.

“I was a recluse for years.

“All I want is for him to sort his own life out, and for him to maybe be in the kids’ lives.”

When arrested, Smith said he had been “left with nothing” after their marriage ended, and called himself a “big-mouthed idiot”.

Since his marriage ended, Smith was said to be unemployed, living in his friend’s outhouse, and in receipt of Universal Credit.

The court also ordered him to complete a programme of up to 35 sessions, and 20 days’ rehabilitation activity.

Ms Morgan had taken out a non-molestation order in a bid to protect her and her children, which prohibited Smith from approaching her and going within 50 metres of her home.

Smith, who had no previous convictions or cautions, breached this order when he parked outside her house.

Their business was closed following the end of their marriage, but Ms Morgan is hopeful of a safer, more positive future, and urged anyone who can empathise with her story to share their experiences, too.

Ms Morgan added: “All I’ve done is concentrate on protecting my children. I’ve taken all of the abuse, all of the people thinking I was having affairs, to protect them.

“I’ve not defended myself to anyone, I’ve let people talk about me. (But) I realised I couldn’t keep living my life like that. I was miserable, but life’s too short. I couldn’t do it anymore.

“Anyone (in a similar situation) needs to speak out and get help. I’ve had support from the police and their domestic abuse team; they’ve been really helpful, as well, checking on me weekly.

“It worries me that, if he meets someone else in the future, he would be like that with them and their kids, as well.

“All I ever wanted to do was protect my kids.”

• 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.