ITV Cymru Wales weather presenter Ruth Dodsworth has expressed her fears over her ex-husband possibly being released from prison after he pleaded guilty to ‘stalking and coercive control’.
In 2002, Dodsworth married businessman Jonathan Wignall, with the pair sharing two children together.
Three years ago, the broadcaster left her husband after he exhibited alarming behaviour such as calling her 150 times in a day, with it later emerging that he had secretly placed a tracker in her car.
In March last year, he was jailed for coercive and controlling behaviour, as well as being handed a restraining order against his ex-wife.
In a new tweet, Dodsworth explained that exactly one year ago, her ex-husband ‘pleaded guilty to stalking and #coercivecontrol’.
The presenter said that afternoon, she spent time with South Wales Police ‘learning how to protect my home/family ahead of his possible imminent release’.
‘That’s our reality. Alarms everywhere! It’s all good but it’s not over,’ she shared.
In a second tweet, the journalist explained that her ex-partner, who ran a nightclub called Escape in Swansea, was originally sentenced to three years and nine months in prison ‘to run concurrently’.
‘Told to severe half minimum. Can apply for early release 4.5mths before the half way point. This is standard apparently,’ she said.
‘Lifetime restraining order… yes. But that’s basically just a piece of paper. He’s a dangerous man.’
Last April following Wignall’s arrest, Dodsworth spoke out on her abusive ex, appearing on This Morning as she opened up on her fears that he would kill her.
She revealed that the abuse escalated in October 2019 when he began phoning her incessantly during the day to check who she was with and tracking her whereabouts, sometimes even following her.
‘That particular day he’d started drinking earlier in the day. By the time my children got home from school they were phoning me saying “Mum, don’t come home. Don’t come home. He’s going to kill you,”’ she recalled.
‘And I think, for me, that was a turning point. I didn’t go home that night, because I think if I had I wouldn’t be here now in any shape or form.’
Dodsworth encouraged others in similar situations to her experience to speak out, saying: ‘As hard as it is, just ask. Because I look back now and wish I’d done so sooner. I would not be here, I wouldn’t be alive if I hadn’t asked for help.’
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org.
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.
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