Court: Flintshire man jailed for abusing disabled wife

Geoffrey Pennington, of Glan yr Eglwys in Northop, was produced in custody at Mold Crown Court on Friday morning for sentence.

The 74-year-old had admitted one offence of controlling and coercive behaviour at a previous hearing and up to Friday's hearing had served some 200 days on remand.

David Mainstone, prosecuting, told the court the victim in the case is Pennington's 65-year-old wife, Amanda Lloyd.

She'd been married to the defendant for five years and has a number of health issues including osteoporosis, spinal issues and mobility difficulties.

Mr Mainstone said Pennington's controlling and violent behaviour began three years prior to his arrest and remand in custody.

He frequently subjected the victim to foul verbal abuse and humiliation - mocking her for her disabilities and belittling her, asking: "Who would ever want you?"

When she was on the phone to family or friends, he'd listen in and ask questions after.

And on the few occasions she went out, he'd call her hourly and ask where she was and who she was with.

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When he became angry, it developed into violence - with Pennington 'towering' over her to intimidate her, putting his fist in her face.

In August of 2023, Pennington came home from the pub and carried on drinking at home.

At around 11pm, Ms Lloyd feared something was about to happen, so she secretly recorded on her phone.

Pennington grabbed her by the hair, wrapped it around his hands and dragged her around before throwing her down on the couch, telling he would "show her what hurt meant."

He knelt on her, slapping her to the face, showering her with spittle and headbutting her before forcing his fingers into her mouth and trying to remove her teeth.

He went on to bite her ear, telling her he'd "bite it off," and punched her to the shoulder - which she'd previously injured and suffered ongoing pain with.

Geoffrey Pennington (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)And his behaviour didn't end there.

After Ms Lloyd called 999, Pennington took up a knife and put it to her throat, telling her "right b****, I'm going to kill you and myself."

Luckily, the police arrived shortly after and arrested the defendant.

Mr Mainstone played Ms Lloyd's recordings to the court, in which Pennington could be heard asking her: "Come on, which one do you want? Left or right?

"I've never hit a woman but you'll be the first - I'll f****** blow you away. You'll never f****** wake up.

"I'll hit you once and you'll be dead."

He also made foul, derogatory comments about her disabilities.

In interview, Pennington accepted they had argued on the night in question but denied physical contact.

He claimed the complainant was an alcoholic who regularly fell and injured herself, accepting she was "a frail woman with health difficulties."

In her impact statement, Ms Lloyd said her husband's behaviour had left her "completely destroyed."

Mr Mainstone asked the court to consider that the offending had constituted a disability hate crime.

Gareth Bellis, defending, told the court: "Listening to what can only be described to as a harrowing listen, Mr Pennington is clearly acting completely and utterly out of control.

"Whilst prison is there for the protection of the public, there can be no suggestion Mr Pennington is a threat to anyone but the complainant.

"His life changed in the lockdown period and it had a significant impact on their relationship.

"Both became depressed and his wife's health started to decline. He became her carer, and that's important.

"It is clear he was still caring for her even during this tumultuous period in the relationship, so the defence say this is not a disability hate crime.

"While he may have used foul, disgusting language to her, that was in drink and is not the real reason this offence occurred."

Mr Bellis asked the court to consider allowing his client to serve the remainder of his punishment in the community, asking: "What is further time in prison going to achieve with a 74-year-old man?

"What's important is to get to the heart of the issue, which is clearly alcohol."

Judge Niclas Parry told Pennington: "She lived in constant fear and has been subjected to disgusting verbal abuse and the most degrading comments.

"Your verbal abuse then developed into violence.

"When your conduct was recorded, we're left to listen to something that can only be described and torment.

"Anyone looking at this case should listen to what I consider to be chilling recordings."

Judge Parry handed down a sentence of 28 months immediate custody.