A Good Morning Britain weather presenter’s husband has been jailed for controlling her life for nearly a decade.
Ruth Dodsworth lived in a “constant state of anxiety and fear” as a result of the actions of her obsessive husband Jonathan Wignall.
Ruth, 46, is a regular weather presenter on regional news in London and Wales, appearing on both Good Morning Britain and This Morning.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how Wignall would regularly come to the studios and location shoots where Ruth was filming, accessed her phone to read her emails and messages and even fitted a tracker to her car so he could follow her movements.
(Image: Media Wales)
Ruth took the car to the garage after growing suspicious after their split and a bugging device was found under the car’s steering wheel, writes WalesOnline.
After police seized Wignall’s laptop and phone they found he had accessed an app linked to the tracking device more than 250 times in less than three weeks.
He also left a CD in her car with a recording of a psychic who said the couple would get back together. Their marriage began to deteriorate in 2010 when she returned to work.
(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
Ruth, who married her husband in 2001, said she woke up to him using her thumbprint to unlock her phone while she was sleeping, to open her mail and prevent her from socialising with friends and family.
Wignall was also reportedly physically abusive on occasions after slapping Ms Dodsworth’s head to prevent her from falling asleep and pushed her twice, once causing her to suffer fractured ribs.
Ruth decided enough was enough and he was arrested on October 18, 2019, after calling her more than 150 times in one day and causing Ruth to fear for her own safety.
(Image: Media Wales)
The mum-of-two broke down in tears as she read out her statement to the court.
She wept: “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.”
She said: “Because of my television career I have had to try and portray a smiley, happy, sunshine-like personality every day when how I felt was anything but.
“Jonathan’s behaviour has had a big impact on my working life and relationships there have been times in work when I have been unable to keep it together.”
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Ruth said her physical health was compromised as a result of the marriage, with her weight dropping to seven stone, her hair falling out and being unable to sleep.
Mitigating counsel, Dyfed Thomas, said Wignall’s failed business in Swansea may have affected his behaviour, which he now ‘regrets’.
Wignall, of Trawler Road, Swansea, was jailed yesterday for three years for coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking, and handed a restraining order banning him from contacting Ms Dodsworth.
If you have been affected by issues of domestic violence or coercive control you can call Refuge’s 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free. The number is 0808 2000 247
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
