A jilted husband took revenge on the wife who dumped him by smashing a fist into her face and then torching her car.

Angry Ulcombe man, Joseph Wenham had earlier begged her to return to him, promising he had quit his boozing.

But Maidstone Crown Court heard how within days the 50-year-old began drinking again and was told that their 32 year marriage was over.

Wenham's lawyer, Philip Rowley said the father-of-three had been suffering "a maelstrom of emotions" before the attacks.

He added: "This is a profoundly sad case. They had been married since they were both 18-years-old.

"Unfortunately in the background was the problem with alcohol and after the death of his father he turned to alcohol as a crutch and it got out of control."

Wenham, of Stonehall Farm, Headcorn Road, Ulcombe, appeared by prison video link and admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm to wife Samantha, arson and driving dangerously.

Prosecutor Patrick Dennis said: "The couple had been married for more than 30 years, unfortunately he had a problem with alcohol.

"The marriage broke down and the victim left the defendant in February last year after he demonstrated possessive behaviour."

Mrs Wenham didn't want any action taken against her husband for turning up at her workplace but police chose to warn him about his behaviour.

The court heard how on August 6, he again showed up at a fruit farm in Maidstone where she was working.

Mr Dennis added he then insisted he had changed but was asked to leave.

"He followed her around the house and without warning punched her in the face, leaving her with a bloodied face...'

"He turned up again two days later and she believed he had changed and they moved back in together.

"But he returned to drinking and three days later, he had 12 cans of beer, and began saying: 'You are going to leave me,'

"He followed her around the house and without warning punched her in the face, leaving her with a bloodied face."

Mrs Wenham needed treatment for bruising and a fractured eye socket.

On September 30 he again showed up at her workplace and set fire to her £1,500 Skoda.

The prosecutor said that police later spotted him driving a BMW and gave chase in Headcorn Road and arrested him after he drove at speeds of between 80 to 90mph. He was found hiding in brambles.

Mrs Wenham later told the court she was terrified each time she went to work.

She added: "These instances with him have left me feeling weary. I do not feel able to pick fruit at work because I am in fear of being on my own unless he turns up again.

"After what happens I don't know what Joseph is capable of, given that he has destroyed my car."

Mr Rowley said Wenham now accepts the relationship is over and agreed to an order for him to stay away.

Recorder James Mulholland QC said it had been a revenge attack because his wife had wanted to end their marriage.

He jailed him for a total of two-and-a-half-years and banned him from driving for 27 months.

Speaking after sentencing, PC Phil Crowhurst, of the West Kent vulnerable investigation team said: "Wenham’s victim was the subject of repeated harassment and unwelcome attention, during which time she was subjected to a violent and unprovoked assault, leading to injuries which are likely to have a lasting impact.

"The arson offence further demonstrated Wenham’s volatile and dangerous behaviour and the risks he posed.

"I hope the victim can take assurance from the custodial sentence that has been passed and would like to thank her for her support and courage in coming forward, which has helped us ensure a successful investigation."

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