'Truly disgraceful' Wakefield husband who oppressed wife for 27 years freed from jail
A husband who spent years controlling and attacking his wife has been freed from prison, but ordered to stay away from his family or be put back behind bars.
Lee Jennings’ conduct over decades was described as being “truly disgraceful”, before he was finally arrested for attacking the downtrodden woman and even his own children.
The judge at Leeds Crown Court, Recorder Mark McKone told him: “You were violent to your own children and had to witness you being violent to their mother.
“You treated your family in a truly disgraceful way. You say you have failed your family, that is an understatement.
“You should be filled with shame today. This was serious offending and it will affect your family forever.”
The court was told that Jennings had meted out abuse and control, which spilled into violence, from the very start of the 27-year-old relationship with his wife.
She lived in “constant anxiety”, prosecutor Becky Jane told the court.
Examples of his horrific abuse were given to the court, particularly during holidays in Egypt where he “ragged her around” because she had spoken to other men, and in Cornwall when he kicked his entire family out of the holiday caravan.
She was terrified to leave him and he made threats to kill her or himself if she ever did. She feared making mistakes because he would turn on her.
On Christmas Eve last year he assaulted his own daughter after she told her mother to leave him. He grabbed her by the throat, punching her and stamping on her.
The issue came to a head after the Leeds United promotion parade on May 5, when a mix up meant the family missed their train home.
Jennings blamed his wife, grabbing, shoving and pushing her. A member of the public intervened which angered Jennings, who then grabbed his own son by the throat and said: “F*** off you c***”.
He also shoved his wife down the escalator, but she was able to keep his balance.
Jennings was arrested by British Transport Police and later gave a prepared statement, denying wrongdoing.
The 53-year-old later admitted two counts of assault by beating, strangulation and coercive and controlling behaviour.
He has previous convictions including affray and assaults.
Jennings appeared in court via video link from HMP Leeds, where he has been held on remand since May.
In a victim impact statement read to the court by his wife, she held back tears as she said: “The last 27 years of my life have been taken away because of the abuse I have suffered.
“It was my normal everyday life from the beginning. I feel ashamed and full of guilt.
“Through therapy, I know it’s wrong. I fought hard every day, not for me, but for my children.
“He tried to break me. It feels like a life sentence for something I have not done. I know we are free now.”
Mitigating, Samreen Akhtar said Jennings, of Handsworth Road, Kettlethorpe, has no intention of contacting his family on his release.
Recorder McKone said because he had been held on remand for for more than six months, an immediate jail sentence would means he would be released soon.
Instead, he gave him a 24-month sentence, suspended for 24 months, meaning he would have the punishment hanging over him should he put a foot wrong.
He also gave him a six-month curfew order, 25 rehabilitation days to complete and a domestic violence course.
He was also given an indefinite-length restraining order to keep him away from his family.