A man has been sentenced to prison for mistreating his spouse during a vacation in Benidorm. Andrew Stockman, aged 54, forcibly ejected his wife Sandra from their holiday accommodation for two days following an outburst in the popular tourist destination. The court was informed that the trip, scheduled for Christmas last year, was meant to be a much-needed retreat for the long-term couple.
The altercation marked a breaking point for Sandra, who had endured a history of abuse, according to the judge. Prosecutor Richard Edwards revealed that their marital issues culminated during their Christmas trip to Spain in 2024.
During the vacation, Mrs. Stockman was caring for a friend who passed away. Despite informing Stockman of the lady’s illness, he prevented her from returning home to attend to the situation. This led to a series of distressing events, with Stockman expelling her from their accommodation without her passport. After being stranded in Benidorm, Sandra had to sneak back into the apartment to retrieve her passport in order to fly back home.
The court heard that it took Stockman two to three days to inquire about her whereabouts, and upon his return, he acknowledged that their relationship was over. The couple, who operated a bed and breakfast, is currently undergoing a divorce. Most of the abusive incidents occurred when Stockman was intoxicated, with physical assaults happening on a monthly basis.
In a statement, Ms. Stockman expressed the enduring emotional toll caused by Stockman’s behavior, emphasizing his controlling nature over her and their children. Stockman, from Llay, North Wales, pleaded guilty to coercive and controlling conduct.
In sentencing Stockman to three years and five months in prison, Judge Timothy Petts condemned the frequent physical, verbal, and emotional abuse inflicted by Stockman. He highlighted the threats made by Stockman to harm himself or Sandra, stating that it constituted a distressing pattern of abuse.