Yachtsman beat wife after romantic welcome backfired
Thirty-six-year-old professional yachtsman Carlos Bellido, of Aintree Close, Newbury, had prepared a romantic reunion for his wife after she had been away for a week, decorating the home with the petals and lighting candles
But instead of succumbing to his romantic overtures, the hearing was told, she announced the marriage was over - prompting Mr Bellido to launch a vicious attack which left her with two black eyes.
The court was told he punched her, slammed her head against a wardrobe, hit her arm so hard she thought it was broken and locked the front door to stop her escaping.
Nigel Wraith, prosecuting, said:”Bellido said he was going to kill her and pulled her hair. She escaped from him and tried to get out the front door but found it locked and she was unable to escape.
“She curled up in a ball at the bottom of the stairs and started howling in terror. He told her to shut up....he took her to hospital but stayed with her to prevent her telling doctors or nurses what had happened. She has since been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD.)”
He added: “She says in her victim impact statement that she cannot see herself having another relationship again and this man has completely ruined her life.”
Mr Bellido admitted causing actual bodily harm at the couple’s former home in Yarnscombe, Devon.
Richard Crabb, defending, said: “He was hoping for a reconciliation and when she went away and came home after a week he decorated the house with rose petals and candles.
“It was not what she had in mind at all and she told him their relationship was over. Rightly or wrongly she said she had feelings for someone else and it was all too much for him.”
Judge John Neligan said:”This was a very unpleasant and vicious assault. Having received some news about your relationship you hit her in the face and assaulted her.
“Fortunately the physical injuries were confined to bruising and pain in her right forearm but a troubling feature of this case is the effect it has had on her psychologically.”
However, he added: “You have no previous convictions and the probation report does not assess you as posing any significant risk. I hope the victim will make a full recovery. I am sure when she hears of this sentence she will think it is nowhere near enough, but I sentence you on all the factors of the case.”
Mr Bellido was ordered to attend a domestic violence course as part of a two year community order.
He was also made subject of a two year restraining order banning any contact with his ex wife.