'Religious fanatic' convicted under new domestic abuse laws

A woman who became a religious fanatic obsessed with Christianity has admitted domestic abuse by forcing her husband to study the Bible and abusing him.

Charlotte Rebecca Dougherty of Ballachrink Drive in Onchan appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes at Douglas Courthouse via a live videolink from Jurby jail.

The 41 year old admitted domestic abuse - the first person to be convicted under new laws - and a charge of assault was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence.

The court heard Doughtery had been in a relationship since 2015, but became preoccupied with religion after meeting a man online.

She began a month-long campaign of abuse towards her husband in January, biting him, verbally abusing him and banning him from listening to his favourite music or eating bacon.

Dougherty accused him of sleeping with men and harangued him with homophobic slurs, and on two occasions bit him so hard she broke the skin.

Her behaviour came to light when she called an ambulance, claiming he was locked in his car having a seizure - when in fact he'd locked himself inside to escape her.

Mrs Hughes remanded her in custody while pre-sentencing reports are prepared, and she'll appear in court again on August 1.