Jailed: Former PC who assaulted, humiliated and degraded ex-girlfriend in torrid campaign of abuse

Andrew Shovelar, 40, was found guilty of one count of wounding with intent and five counts of assaulting occasioning actual bodily harm in February, and today he was sent to prison for two years.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how Mr Shovelar had head-butted and chinned Tracey Eyett, 37, in the past.

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He often banned her from speaking to him when he returned home from work, and on other occasions he would frog-march her to a spare bedroom at their home in Sutterton, Lincolnshire, as if she was under arrest.

During the trial, the court heard how Mr Shovelar abused and humiliated Miss Eyett, a hair salon receptionist, between April and December 2005.

When asked what would make Mr Shovelar march her into the spare room of their home, Miss Eyett responded: "Absolutely anything.

"If I was in the room. If I had spoken when I wasn't meant to. If I had asked him if he wanted a cup of tea and he didn't want one. Anything, absolutely anything."

Mr Shovelar, who also boxed for the Royal Navy before joining the police, hit his ex-girlfriend with the TV remote control, the court heard.

On one occasion, he threw her on to the patio at their home before kicking her on the thigh. He had also thrown a plate at her, which gashed her arm, and he spat in her face.

However, Mr Shovelar denied the offences and said Miss Eyett had an "overpowering" influence.

He told the court: "Whatever I did, wherever I went, it was question after question – where had I been, who had I spoken to?

"As I said before it got to a point where I stopped going out."

Sentencing Mr Shovelar, Judge Michael Heath said: "Domestic violence is a serious matter. What you did to that woman [Tracey Eyett] when you were violent to her was degrading, humiliating and painful, and it had a marked effect on her.

"She had been confident and outgoing, people who saw her after you had begun to abuse her were shocked in the deterioration in her personality and appearance.

"You were a hardworking and conscientious police officer, respected and well liked by your colleagues. But there are two sides to your personality, as is often the case in domestic violence cases.

"To the world you were an efficient police officer, calm and controlled and courageous. But behind closed doors you were violent towards your partner.

"What you did can only be justified in a prison sentence and I take into account that as a police officer it will be difficult for you in prison."

After the sentence was passed, Mr Shovelar's father shouted out that he would take the case to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. His barrister said they were planning an appeal.

The former police constable, now of Pockthorpe Lane, Thompson, near Thetford, Norfolk, was based in Boston, Lincolnshire.

He received the East Midlands Vodafone Lifesavers Award after he rescued an 11-year-old boy in Boston in May 2006.