How club boss who had it all ended up in prison
JONATHAN Wignall was the man behind a Welsh nightclub which was probably one of the most popular in the country in its heyday.
He was married to popular ITV weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth and was also behind a music festival in Swansea that grew into a huge event on the UK music calendar.
Jonathan appeared to have it all. But the man behind all that success was actually a controlling husband who created an ‘atmosphere of fear’ at home.
Details of that private life came out in court this week when Jonathan Wignall was jailed for three years. The 54-year-old, of Meridian Tower, Trawler Road, Swansea, pleaded guilty to charges of coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking on the first day of his trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
It heard how he would frequently attend the studios where his ex-wife, Ruth Dodsworth, who he wed in 2001, was filming and on location, would access her phone messages and mail, prevented her from socialising with friends and family, threatened suicide, and even had a tracker fitted to her car.
Wignall ran the once hugely successful Escape nightclub. It was the place to be during the 90s, attracted some of the top DJS from around the country, and brought many people into the city from across Europe, including Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Sander Van Doorn, Judge Jules and Carl Cox. It was so popular at one point, it was widely regarded as one of the country’s most popular venues.
It led to the launch of the Escape Into The Park event, an annual festival at Singleton Park which at its peak saw megastar Dutch DJ Tiesto - best known for anthems such as Adagio For Strings - perform in the city. It was a huge success and over the years, it went from 5,000 people attending to 25,000.
The festival was sold to a company called Angel Music Group in 2009, and continued until 2011. The nightclub closed in 2015, as owners described their “extreme sadness” at the decision, which they said was due to circumstances beyond their control.
There were then plans unveiled by Wignall back in June, 2019, to bring the dance festival back to Singleton Park, but many grew anxious over the lack of updates and no sign of the line-up being announced after purchasing tickets. These concerns were heightened by the discovery on Companies House that an application to strike off Escape 2520 Limited was made on March 17, 2020, by Wignall.
Wignall explained in April, 2020, that he was no longer behind the event, and decided to transfer the running of it to entrepreneur Paul Ragan back in February, following a period of ill health. The renamed Escape 2021 event will now be taking place on September 25, at Singleton Park.
But these troubles for Wignall were nothing compared with what was taking place behind closed doors and the life he was forcing his wife to lead.
The court heard how the controlling nature of Wignall’s behaviour had a “devastating impact” on Ms Dodsworth and even affected her career as a presenter with ITV Wales after his continual harassment affected her confidence.
Prosecutor Claire Pickthall explained their marriage began to deteriorate in 2010 when the victim returned to work.
A sentencing hearing on Wednesday heard Wignall was arrested on October 18, 2019, after his behaviour came to a head after he called Ms Dodsworth more than 150 times during the day. She did not return to the family home in Cowbridge over fears for her safety.
Reading out her victim personal statement to the court, Ms Dodsworth said: “I look over my marriage to Jonathan and I feel I have been robbed of what was meant to be the happiest times of my life. The birth of our children, family gatherings, achievements in my career, and associations with friends have been tainted.
“I have lived my life feeling nervous, frightened, and broken. Life with Jonathan was like walking on eggshells. His temper would turn in an instant. He was frighteningly unpredictable and extremely volatile. His regular alcohol abuse caused him to be verbally abusive and physically violent towards me. He became bitter and hostile to me over the years and his frequent outbursts of hatred to us all was exhausting.
“Jonathan made me entirely dependent on him. The atmosphere of fear at our so-called home - a place we should have felt safe, secure and loved. Home was often the last place I wanted to be. There was barely a day I did not leave for work in tears and arrive back fearful of what was waiting for me. He was an incredibly jealous and possessive husband. I could not speak to men without accusations of being unfaithful. He was totally obsessed with my phone and asked where it was at all times of the day. He would delete contacts he was paranoid of. If I left my work laptop at home I would get emails saying someone was trying to access it. This was Jonathan trying to check up on me.”
Wignall was sentenced by judge Daniel Williams, who told him: “It’s clear you have no remorse for that which you did. You seek to justify your actions and in your eyes you have done no wrong and you have no perception to how others may see you. You affect the air of a respectable beleaguered but successful businessman but you are not. You are a fantasist with a fragile ego which makes you an unrepentant, possessive bully.” ■ If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, visit the Live Fear Free website or call the helpline on 0808 80 10 800.