Former X Factor star Rowetta Satchell has revealed she will never marry again due to the beatings she suffered 30 years ago at the hands of her violent ex-husband.
The 49-year old Happy Mondays singer, from Manchester, had fled junkie Noel Satchell in 1987 after a violent five-year relationship.
Rowetta, who had two children with Satchell, eventually hid out in a refuge home after he beat her with electric cords and hammers, and tried to strangle her. The couple later divorced.
Yet despite 27 years passing since she escaped Satchell, Rowetta is still so haunted by her ordeal she says she will never live with anyone again.
Last year her ex-husband now 51, was given a suspended jail term after he allowed his home to be used as a drugs den.
Rowetta, who came fourth in the 2004 season of the ITV1 talent show, spoke out as she joined forces with police in Manchester to highlight issues of domestic violence.
She said: ”I have no boyfriend at the moment and for years I did have a problem with having a relationship. They are very very hard for me because I am frightened and also because I refuse to be restricted now.
”If somebody said ‘you can’t go out’ that would be the end. It’s made relationships harder. My last boyfriend lived in Serbia so it was easy because I didn’t have to see him very often. I love my freedom and don’t want to be tied down.
”I am not celibate, I am not a nun but now it’s difficult because I want to be the strong partner in the relationship and it’s very hard for me to be the weak one because I was for so long.
”I always feel sorry for men if they do fancy me because they don’t really want to go out with me. I just don’t think I could live with anyone again because I have become so independent.”
During a week of action, Greater Manchester Police is targeting known and wanted offenders with the aim of bringing perpetrators of domestic abuse to justice.
Rowetta added: “I met my ex-husband at 16. By the time I was 18 I was married with two children and his aggression towards me got gradually worse. At first it was an occasional slap which was always followed by a plea for forgiveness.
“It became unbearable after he became addicted to heroin. The violence escalated very quickly and I became more and more frightened for my life.
”I tried to leave, but didn’t think I had anywhere to go and I lived in hope that he would change as I thought I loved him and he would always tell me how sorry he was afterwards and that he loved me.
“The turning point for me came after one particular night full of beatings and torture I took four sleeping tablets, not to kill myself but enough to knock me out.
”When I was visited by police in the morning at hospital they advised me not to return home and they contacted to Woman’s Aid and found a place for me in a refuge.”
The public are also being reminded of the use of Clare’s Law which allows members of the public to enquire about their partner or a partner of someone they knows past if they suspect a violent past.
Rowetta added: “Love isn’t meant to hurt. Love isn’t violent. Don’t stay for your children. Leave for your children. Leave for yourself.
“There is so much more help and understanding out there now than when I was suffering. Start a plan to leave and end the fear.
”I would definitely check any future boyfriends under Clare’s Law – especially if there was even the slightest chance they were violent.”
Detective Chief Supt Vanessa Jardine, Head of the Public Protection Division at Greater Manchester Police, said: “Tackling domestic violence is a priority all year round but this week of action allows us to highlight the work taking place with our partners to eradicate the region of these terrible crimes.
“Victims of domestic abuse and serious sexual assaults are some of the most vulnerable members of our society and we will be targeting known and persistent offenders throughout the week, utilising a range of powers in order to bring these people to justice and protect their victims.
“Over the last year we’ve seen an increase in the number of people coming forward to tell us about their suffering but we’d like more victims to have the confidence to seek help and put a stop to the vicious circle of domestic abuse they often find themselves in.”
Last year Noel Satchell was one of 14 people arrested following an undercover police investigation into cocaine and heroin dealing in his hometown of Bury. He let drug dealers into his property to sell Class A drugs to officers posing as addicts.
Dozens of officers were later involved in dawn raids on the homes of Satchell and his accomplices in which a quantity of drugs and cash were seized.
Last May he was given a 20 month sentence suspended for one year after claiming he had been ‘exploited’ by others and now wanted to get treatment for his drug problems.
Picture courtesy of Man Alive!, with thanks.
