Abuser stabbed wife with comb

An abuser who used a comb to stab his wife in the stomach and coercively controlled her for nearly a year has been jailed.

Blessing Maponga, 44, first came to the attention of police in November when he called his wife’s employer claiming he was being abused by her.

However, during the call the man could hear his employee screaming in the background and pleading for him to call the police.

The woman’s employer did so and officers then contacted the woman, who confided in them that Maponga had been violent towards her.

She said that in August, during an argument, he had pulled parts of her hair out and used a tail comb to stab her in the stomach.

A pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour between January and November last year also came to light – with Maponga not allowing his wife to leave their marriage despite her asking multiple times.

He also threatened to control access to everything she had, threatened to have her deported and often wiped her phone data and memory.

One witness reported hearing the pair arguing and Maponga trying to snap his wife’s driving licence in half.

Maponga, of Station Road, Wilburton, Ely, was arrested but denied the allegations against him.

However, he was charged and, on the day his trial was due to begin at Cambridge Crown Court on Monday (23 June), admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) and coercive and controlling behaviour.

He was sentenced on the same day to one year and one month behind bars.

A restraining order was also made for three years, preventing him from having any contact with his victim.

Detective Constable Charmaine Wood, who investigated, said: “Maponga’s behaviour was horrific and he thought he could continue to make his wife’s life a misery, even when she had repeatedly asked to leave their marriage. He was wrong.

“No person should have to suffer this kind of abuse, and it’s important to also highlight that domestic abuse isn’t always just physical.

“Victims can also suffer from the threat and fear of injury, daily intimidation and having every aspect of their life monitored and controlled. Coercive control is a criminal offence, and we take all reports of it very seriously.

“We would strongly urge anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse to contact police or call the national domestic violence helpline on 0808 2000 247.”

To report concerns or for more advice and support on domestic abuse, including coercive control, visit the force’s dedicated web page.