'He was very much in love with you but you abused that love in a most grotesque way night after night'

An abusive and cruel woman carried out a horrific campaign of violence against her loving husband, including stabbing him with the sharp point of an electric toothbrush and repeatedly hitting him with a rolling pin.

Helen Thornton repaid her husband's "love and support" in the "most grotesque way", abusing him sadistically over an extended period.

Standing trial at Grimsby Crown Court, the 45-year-old denied two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm and a further charge of controlling and coercive behaviour, but was convicted by a jury. She had been remanded in custody since well before the trial after repeatedly breaching her bail, reports Grimsby Live.

Judge John Thackray KC told a sentencing hearing at Hull Crown Court that the controlling and coercive behaviour matter involved Thornton "instilling fear" in her husband that violence would be used against him. This happened on at least two occasions between 2016 and last year.

"You made his life a misery and it's not less serious because it was committed in a domestic setting, it's more serious because it involved a breach of trust," said Judge Thackray. "Your husband was entitled to feel safe and secure in his home and in the company of his wife."

Thornton's husband endured abuse and attacks "almost night after night". On one particularly distressing occasion in 2018, police were summoned over an assault and stabbing incident, but he opted not to press charges.

During that event, Thornton wounded him with the pointy end of an electric toothbrush, resulting in a puncture wound. In February last year, Thornton launched a violent attack on her husband with a rolling pin, leaving him with significant bruising.

"You caused injuries on many occasions and made his