During their 15 year relationship Richard Martin stopped Katie Royle taking the pill, owning a mobile phone and even kept her from seeing her own mum
Katie finally reunited with her mum after 11 years apart (Image: Katie Royle/SWNS)
A woman has told how she finally introduced her children to their own grandmother, after she escaped her controlling ex-partner who would keep her in his van.
Katie Royle said she was banned from having any contact with her relatives by abusive ex-partner Richard Martin, 56.
During their 15 year relationship she said he stopped her taking the pill, owning a mobile phone and even kept her in his work van during his shifts.
The 34-year-old lost contact with her own mum, Patsy Royle, 56, who had never met her grandchildren.
Katie finally broke free in 2018 after going to her GP for help – and knocked doors in her area until she found her sister and mum.
She has never looked back, and spoke to podcast Real Fix, which features real life stories, to encourage other abused partners to speak up and leave.
Speaking on episode two of the podcast, she said: “I had been living a nightmare for the last 15 years. I couldn’t do anything for myself – he had complete control over my life.
It felt liberating to finally break free.
“The first words my mum she said to me was she knew this day would come.
“It had been about 11 years since I’d last seen her. We just cried and hugged.
“It was an isolated life where I had no friends, family, money – nothing really other than me and the children that was it.
“I didn’t want to have more children but had more because he wouldn’t allow me to go and get the pill from the doctors.
“I didn’t see my family and my mum never once met her grandchildren. Looking back at it now, I wish I’d got out earlier.”
The couple met in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, when Katie was 16 and Martin was 39, with the controlling behaviour beginning shortly after she had their first child, she said.
Katie was not allowed to return to work and they moved from their flat into a new house in Sandiacre, Derbyshire.
