Ex-partner 'taped letterbox' shut over arson fear

Tyler Thornhill put his victim through three years of physical and mental abuse, police said

A domestic violence victim has said she was so scared her ex-partner would burn her house down while she slept that she taped her letterbox shut.

Tyler Thornhill, of Henbury, Bristol, has been jailed for two and a half years after admitting two counts of assaulting his ex-partner on Valentine's Day last year.

He was armed with a baseball bat when he forced his way into her home in Warminster, and grabbed her around the throat.

In a statement read to Salisbury Crown Court, his victim said: "He promised me that there was no place I could run or hide to where he wouldn't be able to get to me."

She added: "I never thought I would find the courage to report the abuse, simply because I was too scared."

Thornhill, 24, of Standfast Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of actual bodily harm (ABH) and two counts of criminal damage.

As well as 30 months in prison, he was ordered to pay a surcharge of £228, and given a 10-year restraining order during the sentencing on 29 April.

In the statement, his victim added: "I constantly check multiple times through the night that doors are locked, curtains are shut, lights are off and even go as far as Sellotaping the letterbox in fear that he would set fire to my house whilst I was asleep."

'She could not sleep'

Thornhill's victim was praised by the police for showing "great strength" throughout the investigation.

Local crime investigator Suzanne Stone, from Wiltshire Police, said: "Thornhill put his victim through three years of abuse, including physical and mental.

"His behaviour and actions caused her to be in fear of repercussions, to the point they would not sleep and even caused them to move home.

"The impact of all these things stripped the victim of their confidence and trust, something which should never be allowed to happen to anyone.

"I welcome the sentencing that has been given, especially the 10-year restraining order that has been put in place. I hope the victim can now finally start to feel safe, and begin to move forwards with their life."