A WOMAN who went armed to confront a former boyfriend after suffering a terrifying ordeal at his hands has been spared jail.

Jacqueline Hughes was found to have a loaded shotgun in her car when stopped by police as she was driven away from Ben Williams’ house in Lowfield Road, Dartford.

But a judge had sympathy with the 37-year-old former bouncer, after hearing about Mr Williams’ behaviour.

Suspending a 51-week prison sentence for two years and ordering 200 hours unpaid work, Judge Philip Statman said: “This is a wholly exceptional case which demanded and received a wholly exceptional sentence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Mr Williams, also a bouncer, had been violent to Ms Hughes and made threats.

On the evening of March 6, 2006, Ms Hughes went to the home of Mr Williams in Lowfield Road with Andrew Kohout.

Edmund Fowler, prosecuting, said Ms Hughes called Mr Williams to try to enter his house then kicked the door of his van parked outside.

Drunk Ms Hughes shouted at him to come out, then smashed windows in the van, causing £1,000 of damage.

She got into the passenger seat of her car and Mr Kohout, 30, drove off without lights. Police arrived and they were taken to Dartford Police Station.

The vehicle was searched and behind the driver’s seat was a loaded 12-bore shotgun and a CS gas canister. A kitchen knife was in the glove box.

Ms Hughes, of Long Lane, Bexleyheath, admitted possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing CS gas, possessing a bladed article and causing criminal damage.

The case against Mr Kohout, of Camelot Close, Thamesmead, was dropped.

The story of how Hughes had suffered abuse unfolded in court. Lisa Freeman, defending, said Ms Hughes had a short relationship with Mr Williams from the end of 2005 to early 2006.

“She described him as a violent man,” she said.

Miss Freeman said Mr Williams threatened that he was going to rape Hughes and kill her children.

“She was incredibly frightened of this man. These offences were born out of her desire to end it.

“She went to tell him that whatever it was he wanted to do, to do it so that she could move on.”

Miss Freeman said Ms Hughes feared Mr Williams to the extent that she was not willing to support a prosecution against him. It was only when her daughter was involved that she agreed.

The mother of children aged nine, 15 and 16 was incredibly vulnerable and had self-harmed and attempted suicide. She had a problem with alcohol.

Ms Hughes had temporarily lost her licence for door work and worked in a charity shop.