Hull Crown Court heard that he was terrified and thought he was going to die
Aliesha Broadbent has been jailed at Hull Crown Court(Image: Humberside Police)
A heavy-drinking woman repeatedly threatened her terrified husband with a knife “in the dead of night” and kept him prisoner in his bedroom. He thought that he was going to die during the alarming confrontation when she held the knife to different parts of his head.
The shocked man was eventually able to flee from the house on a mobility scooter before summoning help, Hull Crown Court heard. Aliesha Broadbent, 37, of Malthouse Lane, Bridlington, but recently in custody on remand, admitted offences of false imprisonment and assault on September 30.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, prosecuting, said that Broadbent and her husband, then aged 64, had been in a relationship for 13 or 14 years. She woke him up just after midnight and she was holding a large kitchen vegetable-cutting knife, which was touching his head.
She wanted him to tell her that he loved her. “He believed that she was going to kill him so he complied with her request,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.
Broadbent repeated her behaviour about four times over the space of a minute. “On each occasion, she touched a different part of his head with the knife,” said Miss Kioko-Gilligan.
The husband did not suffer any injuries. She left the bedroom and he followed her to summon help. He began to dial 999 but, before he could press the green button, she snatched the mobile phone out of his hand and asked him why he was contacting the police.
Broadbent pushed him into the bedroom and he landed on the bed. She secured the door handle to the bathroom door handle with a dressing gown cord, preventing him from being able to leave.
The husband feared what might happen next and he tried to wedge the door closed. Broadbent suddenly burst in and told him to leave. He left on a mobility scooter and was wearing only pyjamas, a coat and bedsocks.
He was frightened and arrived at his aunt’s home. The police were alerted and they arrived at 3.10am. Broadbent was found lying on her bed and she initially refused to be arrested. She eventually complied.
She later told police that she had drunk a bottle-and-a-half of cider and that they had a “tiff” but she could not remember what it was about. She had convictions for five previous offences, including assault causing actual bodily harm in August 2023.
Jane Rapin, mitigating, said that Broadbent began using alcohol to deal with problems and it spiralled after that. She now saw her offending in a very different light.
“She realises that this is a wake-up call and she wants to do everything possible to get her life back on track,” said Miss Rapin. “She has taken positive steps to get herself away from the addiction of alcohol.
“She has expressed remorse. She deeply regretted what happened. She is determined remain alcohol-free. She wants to get back to work.” Broadbent had completed several courses while in custody.
Recorder Taryn Turner told Broadbent: “The use of a knife to threaten him in the dead of night makes this a serious offence. It was an ugly incident. The circumstances were frightening.
“The potential for really serious harm was high. The victim was vulnerable due to his age and health. You pose a risk that is difficult to manage in community.”
Broadbent was jailed for three years and four months. She was given an indefinite restraining order.
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