HUMILIATED, ATTACKED AND DOUSED IN PETROL

Stephanie, 42, became her ex's punchbag, but things were about to get so much worse

- NICOLA MOORS.

As I took the spaghetti off the hob, my partner Lyndon, then 20, came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. 'What's cooking, good looking?' he said, nuzzling my neck.

It was 2007 and we were just a few months into a relationship after meeting at a local pub, where he was a doorman. Tall, tanned, cheeky and an ex-professional boxer, he was so big and strong.

Things had moved quickly between us and now, just a few months on, he'd already moved in with me.

Lyndon made me feel so appreciated. After a year together, I fell pregnant, and he couldn't wait for us to be a family. But after our 20-week scan, I started to notice changes in him. He'd lose his temper over nothing, then was really apologetic afterwards.

BECOMING AGGRESSIVE

'I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do that,' he said, after pushing me into a bush one day after a silly argument in the garden. I was covered in scratches from the branches, but otherwise fine. I put it down to him just being anxious about becoming a dad and I hoped the baby would bring the loving side out in him again. Sure enough, he was there at the birth of our son, crying tears of happiness.

Back home, Lyndon was a good dad but with me, his temper was becoming a problem. He'd give me little shoves and pinches here and there.

I made excuses for him, putting it down to tiredness and stress from work. Soon, our second child was born, but far from being a happy family, Lyndon just became more aggressive and even started punching and kicking me during arguments.

'You can't win,' he'd sneer each time as I cowered in pain. 'I'm stronger than you!'

I was his punchbag - he took all of his anger out on me.

I called the police a few times, but Lyndon was always so full of remorse. And desperate to keep our family together, I'd drop the charges.