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Boots staff save terrified woman from violent thug after she says secret code word
domestic abuse code word.The frightened woman went into a Boots based in Bootle, Merseyside, and asked for "Ani," which staff knew meant she needed help, taking her into the back room.Police were contacted and her abuser Anthony Ballard was arrested and interviewed, where he denied the allegations against him.He has since pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and assault causing actual bodily harm and been jailed for two years.Judge Stuart Driver said the coercive behaviour offence spanned months.A victim impact statement revealed the victim has since been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and been prescribed medication to help her sleep.Driver told Ballard he accepted his "mental health has been poor but appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate imprisonment".A ten year restraining order was also imposed to keep Ballard away from his victim. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.Liverpool Crown Court also heard that Ballard was on licence from a six year sentence for a conspiracy to commit burglaries charge in 2017 at the time of the abuse offence, LiverpoolEcho reports.
