MUM’S PLEA AFTER EVIL

BEAMING bride Charlotte Walford’s happiness seemed complete as her new husband slipped a ring on her finger and vowed to cherish her forever.

But within hours of the service, Spencer Walford’s true nature emerged.

During the wedding celebration he accused her of getting tipsy. He dragged her from the pub by her hair and slapped her.

It was the start of a terrifying reign of abuse.

Charlotte had married a violent, controlling monster who would beat and rape her as she slept. The brute, 29, was jailed for 14 years for sexually assaulting Charlotte, 30, and beating her black and blue.

Now she suffers post-traumatic stress syndrome but has found love again and has taken lessons in learning how to spot abusive men.

Also she wants teenage girls to receive similar classes in school to avoid destructive relationships.

Charlotte, who had battled cancer before meeting Walford, said: “Even today there’s a stigma around women who report their husbands. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through the hell I’ve been through.

Slapped

“Women are portrayed as sex objects through music videos and porn. We need to teach young people the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.

“I was taken to the absolute brink by the man I chose to marry but I want other girls to know there’s help out there – and that they will be believed.”

Charlotte is one of hundreds of women in the Freedom Programme, which is aimed at getting domestic violence victims to identify the behaviour patterns of abusers.

The course was created by ex-probation officer Pat Craven. She asked violent men, even rapists and killers, to write a letter to daughters to warn the g girls what behaviours to look out for in a new boyfriend.

She then hen put the information in the course. rse. It is used by police, the he criminal justice system, social services and women’s men’s refuges across the he UK.

Specific fic types of abusers s have been l abelled, d, such as the Headworker, orker, who uses psychological gical ploys, and the Persuader, suader, who uses threats reats and coercion. . The Jailer isolates partners from their eir family and friends. ends. The Bully shouts houts and intimidates. tes.

The course, ourse, with the catchline hline ‘knowledge is power’, also helps women omen spot the characteristics t eristics of good men, en, those who would give ve support and encouragement. gement. Walford