A woman who was living with a violent partner used a domestic abuse code word to get away from him. The terrified victim went into a Boots pharmacy in Bootle and asked for "Ani" which signifies that she needed help.
Staff took her into the back room and police contacted her abuser, Anthony Ballard, who was arrested and interviewed. READ MORE:Police investigate 'terrifying ordeal' after man raped in Manchester city centre According to the ECHO, Ballard, 30, denied the allegations against him but has now pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour and assault causing actual bodily harm and has been jailed for two years.
Sentencing him Judge Stuart Driver, QC said the coercive behaviour offence spanned months and her victim impact statement revealed she has since been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and been prescribed medication.
He told Ballard, of Marsh Lane, Bootle, he accepted his "mental health has been poor but appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate imprisonment".
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