DOMESTIC violence victim Jayne-Ann Murray wants life to return to normal after her ex-partner was jailed for four years.

Mark Eatwell, 44, of Coronation Road, Wroughton, was convicted of actual bodily harm and false imprisonment at Swindon Crown Court on Wednesday.

The charges related to Eatwell, who had split from Jayne-Ann, in 2011, preventing her from leaving his home and beating her between April 6 and 7, last year.

Jayne-Ann, 45, who would regularly visit Eatwell’s home to see his son after they split up, said: “Before Mark was sent to prison I was scared to walk down the street alone and when I did I’d have panic attacks. I’m not so scared now and I can actually go out alone again.

“I just want to get on with my life as I’ve had this hanging over me for a year now, but at least there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.

“I had some good times with Mark but it started to go downhill with the odd slap, then worse things happened and I left in 2011 when he pinned me to the ground and beat me. But despite all that I remained his friend.”

Last week, Eatwell’s father Alan, 76, told the Adver that his son’s sentence was too harsh and he plans to appeal. These claims have left Jayne-Ann angry.

Jayne-Ann, who is in remission from breast cancer, said: “He beat me black and blue, head to toe, so for Alan to say Mark is not so bad is utter rubbish.

“I don’t want to slag Alan off as he’s a good man. Mark is Alan’s son and he will want to defend him but I’d really like him to see the police pictures of the damage Mark caused to me so he understands.

“I do take issue with him saying that Mark was not that way inclined as he must have been to be convicted by a court.

“I’m quite happy with the sentence and I know Alan was concerned about his grandson but just because Mark has a 16-year-old son doesn’t mean he shouldn’t go to prison for what he has done.”

Jayne-Ann hopes that her story will encourage other victims of domestic abuse to come forward and report incidents.

She said: “My message to men or women who are victims of domestic violence is to run and get out of that situation while you can. There are people who take this for years and that is just not right.

“I’m far from weak but it is a difficult thing coming forward and you need people around you who can help you get through it but coming forward is the best thing to do in the long run.

“I used to be quite a confident person but this whole thing has knocked the stuffing out of me physically and mentally. Thank-fully I’ve had some good people around me like my fiancé Nathan Formoy, sister Samantha Murray, brother Gary Murray, my parents and the police – in particularly DC Sonia Marsh.”

Anyone wishing to report domestic violence should call Wiltshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.

There is also the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247, Swindon 24 Hour Helpline on 01793 610610 or www.speakoutwiltshire.com.