Hayley finally free of 'Jekyll and Hyde' (From Free Press Series)

Hayley finally free of 'Jekyll and Hyde'

HAYLEY Gunter and her three children spent years living with a "Jekyll and Hyde" man whose violence and 'mind games' saw her wither to a meagre five stone.

Gareth King was jailed last week after Cardiff Crown court heard the 26-year-old, from New Inn, smashed half a tooth out of Ms Gunter's mouth as she was holding their baby.

Ms Gunter said life with King was "mental torture."

After years of torment with the man a judge described as "vicious," and a battle with an eating disorder, Ms Gunter is finally able to start again.

She said: "At first he was everything you could want in a man then one day we were arguing and I wouldn't let him in the house. My neighbour was walking his dog and Gareth just laid into him."

"I knew he could be vicious, but I never thought he would start on me."

And it was only after years of mental and physical abuse that Ms Gunter finally went ahead with her bid to free herself and her kids from him.

She said: "I had been to the police on several occasions but I'd withdrawn the complaints. When I finally stuck to it I knew that if I didn't he would kill me."

She described King as a man who "needs help." She said: "He is ill - I'm scared he'll kill someone."

And yet, she still felt torn about leaving.

"I have gone through nine months of hell missing him so much, despite what he did to me. Sometimes I feel guilty for staying with him then I feel guilty for leaving."

"But if I hadn't got out my kids would be visiting my graveside now I am sure of it."

In their years together King's controlling personality eroded her character and she said the eating disorder, was "the only control I had in my life, at the time."

"I was powerless, but I am not anymore. I was trying to hold down a full time job, look after the kids, and keep the house clean. He just demeaned me, he killed me - totally changed my character.

"I was evil too when I was with him - I would lie, and cover up for him - just to protect myself. He was 15 stone and I was only 5st so I didn't stand a chance."

After a courageous fight to get her life back on track, Ms Gunter has emerged with a new zest for life.

"I have shut that door," she said: "You will never know the feeling of excitement until you have got out of a relationship like that.

"The day I left, I gave myself three goals to put on weight, move house and get a new car - all of which I've done and nobody is going to destroy that now.

"I will never have another man live with me, there won't be any happy ever after love stories in my life except for me and the kids."

Yesterday, Hayley had an interview with a modelling agency which last year turned her down because she was too skinny.