'My ex was abusive - I want to help others escape'

A mother-of-six whose partner threatened to kill her says she wants to raise awareness of abusive relationships and how to escape them.

Kelly Walker's ex-boyfriend, Adria Noblet, became increasingly coercive during their 16-year relationship.

He was given a prison sentence and a restraining order after she recorded the abuse on her phone and reported it to South Yorkshire Police.

Ms Walker is a guest speaker at a domestic violence event at The Red Lion in Askern, Doncaster, on Friday.

Ms Walker said: "I used to walk on eggshells. I wasn't sleeping, I wasn't eating.

"I love to cook and I run a food bank, but he used to tell me my food was shocking and even threw it over me once - and I'd believe it was my fault."

"You're living in it, you're in the thick of it; you're not stepping back and looking at the situation."

Things finally reached breaking point one night when he threatened to "slit her throat" in front of their daughters, before attacking her vehicle with a hammer.

That night, Ms Walker left with their children and took her evidence to the police.

Noblet pleaded guilty to criminal damage and making threats to kill at Sheffield Crown Court this year. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Ms Walker said that since leaving with her children, their lives have improved and "every day gets more beautiful" - but now she wants to help others do the same.

"I urge anybody who's going through this, to step back and look at the behaviour - would you want your daughter or son to live like that?

"If the answer's no, you should walk away.

"The best thing I can say to do, and the reason he got a substantial sentence, is to record it."

Although her ex was jailed, she also thinks authorities "could do a lot better" for victims of domestic abuse.

She said she wasn't offered counselling and had to "beg" for a female officer to be present during her police interview.

She is also worried that she won't be protected after her abuser is released, despite the 10-year restraining order.

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Det Chief Insp James Horsfield, South Yorkshire Police's lead for domestic abuse, said: "No one should live in fear, and we continue to urge anyone affected by domestic abuse to come forward and report it to us."

He said the force used a range of tactics to safeguard victims, including providing them with technology which can enable a faster response to emergencies.

He also said they work with partner agencies to ensure appropriate support is offered "from the moment victims make a report."

On Friday, Ms Walker will give a presentation at the Voices for Change: A Night for Empowerment event.

The night will give advice on how to spot the warning signs of domestic abuse, as well as raise funds for charities supporting victims.

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