‘Crack-smoking’ husband who punched pregnant spouse in stomach spared jailed
Jason Withers, 36, has avoided a prison sentence after he severely abused his pregnant wife and punched her
Jason Withers attacked his pregnant wife
An abusive husband has dodged jail after he beat up his pregnant wife, who was expecting twins at the time. Jason Withers punched his partner in the stomach and left her with a black eye.
Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard the 36-year-old would control his victim by changing the passwords on her social media, holding power over her finances and would force her to give him money. The dad had begun taking drugs around three months into the marriage, which caused his behaviour towards his wife to deteriorate, as per BPM Media.
The defendant, of Parkfield Road, Longton, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, three charges of common assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour.
Barry White, prosecuting, said: “The complainant met the defendant a number of years ago as an inmate in prison. He was released in 2023 and went on the run after not abiding to his licence and left the country. He returned back to the UK in 2024 and the two were married a month later.
“The complainant said the relationship wasn’t perfect but after three months it got worse because he began to use drugs and he began to hit her. He made her change her passwords on social media and emails.
“He would take money from her bank account and threaten her to send him money. He went with her wherever she needed to go. She became pregnant and he still hit her despite knowing she was pregnant.”
When the victim spoke to police officers and provided photos of her injuries, Withers was arrested but denied all the allegations and made out that she was the aggressor. He has five previous convictions, including stalking in 2022 where he was imprisoned for 27 months.
Hunter Gray, mitigating, said: “This was not the most serious injury that could have been caused for an offence of that nature. He has been in custody for 25 weeks – there has been a significant degree of punishment.
“He was diagnosed with PTSD following his time in the special services, and he was diagnosed with bipolar at the beginning of last year by Dr James Williams, a Consultant Psychiatrist at HMP Dovegate. He has responded very well to medication.”
Withers has now been sentenced to a community order with 45 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and he must take part in an accredited programme.
Judge Richard McConaghy told him: “You were taking crack cocaine and treated the victim very badly indeed. You repeatedly struck her and left her with a black eye and on other occasions, including to her stomach. At that point in time you knew she was pregnant. I’m fortunately told the twins have now both been born.
“I’ve read a series of text messages between you and her and it gives me insight to the attitude you had towards her. At that point in time you were demanding and threatening. You have a poor attitude towards her. You took control of her social media account by getting her passwords changed and you were in control of the finances in the house, including hers.
“I remain concerned about your attitude towards your wife because you minimised what took place between you and her. You need to start looking deeply into yourself. It is nobody else’s fault other than yours why you’re here in this dock today.”
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