An Essex man has been jailed for 18 months for punching and stabbing his wife in a ‘terrifying’ unprovoked attack.

Stuart Wiseman, 44, of Swan Grove, Chappel, near Colchester, was handed a 15 month jail term at Chelmsford Crown Court today, Friday, December 8, for actual bodily harm and a further three months, to run consecutively, for engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour.

Wiseman has admitted the offences on Wednesday, November 29, and was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order.

According to a spokesman for Essex Police, officers has received reports on Saturday, October 28, that Wiseman has assaulted his wife Madeline in an unprovoked attack after she had gone to bed feeling ill.

During the assault she was punched, stabbed, strangled with a dog lead and at one stage smothered by a pillow.

Police arrested Wiseman on Monday October 30, and later charged him.

Investigating officer Dc Karyn Daniels said: “Wiseman subjected his victim to a terrifying ordeal without provocation over a number of hours.

“Madeline Wiseman bravely came forward and spoke about the abuse she had suffered over many years.

“Wiseman’s abuse forced her to take days off work whilst she recovered from visible injuries, he restricted her time away from the home and bombarded her with phone calls and messages.

“This behaviour led to the victim losing a significant amount of weight.

“Madeline’s courage and support has meant an abuser like Wiseman has now been locked in a prison cell.”