A Surrey man who repeatedly beat, controlled and threatened a woman over eight years has been jailed.
Ernie Jones, from Godalming, subjected the victim to sustained physical and psychological abuse between 2017 and 2025.
The 29-year-old’s behaviour included punching and kicking her in the face, stamping on her head, threatening her with a knife and damaging her property.
The survivor said: “For eight years, I lived under Ernie’s control and abuse.
“It was a deliberate pattern of behaviour that stripped away my independence and sense of who I was.
“I felt like I existed only to meet his needs and prevent his anger.
“I felt worthless and degraded.”
He also subjected her to verbal abuse, prevented her from seeing her children, and made false reports to social services in an attempt to have them taken into care.
In one incident on February 23, 2025, Jones attacked the victim while driving her car, with their two young children in the back.
After stopping at traffic lights during an argument, he began beating her, causing injuries amounting to actual bodily harm.
Despite being arrested, Jones continued to contact the victim, attend her home unannounced and make threats, breaching bail conditions on multiple occasions.
This behaviour amounted to stalking, and police were first called on May 20, 2025, when the victim disclosed years of abuse.
She added: “One of the deepest pains I carry is the impact this has had on my children.
“They saw my fear and distress.
“As their mother, that breaks my heart.
“I am determined to rebuild our lives and show them that control is not love.”
Jones, of Godalming, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (April 10) to seven years and two months in prison.
He was also handed a restraining order until further notice.
He was convicted of two counts of controlling and coercive behaviour, actual bodily harm, and stalking involving fear of violence.
Detective Constable Emily Heath, who led the investigation, said: “The survivor has shown tremendous courage in reporting the abuse and supporting the investigation.
“No one should be treated this way in a relationship.
“I hope this sentence allows her to begin rebuilding her life.”
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