A HEYBRIDGE man has been jailed for more than two years after admitting assaulting his wife in Southminster.

Shaun Hull, of Colchester Road, Heybridge, was sentenced for assault by beating and GBH at Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, May 25.

Hull, 32, previously pleaded guilty on Wednesday, May 3, at Chelmsford Crown Court.

On Tuesday, December 27, 2016, Hull turned up at Nicola Hull’s work place intoxicated at 10pm and he was asked to leave. While trying to calm him down, the estranged husband pushed Nicola over in a car park.

On her return home at around 3.50am she was pushed to floor and then kicked numerous times in the stomach.

Nicola was taken to hospital where she remained for 13 days after having surgery for a significant internal bleeding close to her liver.

Hull was sentence to two years and two months in jail, and handed a restraining order.

Investigating officer Ds Michael Pannell said: “This was completely unprovoked attack that left an innocent woman with a serious and potentially life threatening internal injury, requiring emergency surgery.

“Nicola Hull was a victim of domestic abuse and has shown an enormous amount of bravery by supporting us throughout the entire investigation. Hull’s sentence reflects the seriousness with which the courts treat domestic assault and I hope this gives him time to reflect on the gravity of harm he caused to his victim.

“Domestic abuse is a blight on our communities and reports are fully investigated by our dedicated domestic abuse team. We encourage all victims of this crime, and those that suspect others are suffering in silence, to report what is happening either on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”