POLITICIANS from all sides have reacted with shock to today’s three-year prison sentence handed down to Teignbridge and Chudleigh councillor Doug Hellier Laing for a mallet attack on his estranged wife.

Exeter Crown Court heard today (fri) how the Tory councillor assaulted wife Sue ‘in a moment of madness’ at their home in Chudleigh on October 29.

The heavy wooden mallet had been wrapped in a plastic bag and used against her after a petty squabble about him going upstairs.

The couple had split up but lived on separate floors at their home in Clifford Street.

Fellow Teignbridge and Chudleigh Council member Richard Keeling said after the jail punishment was meted out: ‘I am surprised by the sentence – but domestic violence is a serious crime. At this time my thoughts are with the victim, Sue Laing.’

And he added: ‘Councillors should uphold the strongest values in public life.’

Mr Keeling said his phone had not stopped ringing since Hellier Laing’s fate behind bars was confirmed in court earlier this afternoon.

Tory district councillor Ros Prowse, told the Mid-Devon Advertiser said: ‘I am shocked about the whole thing.

‘It all came as a huge shock.

‘It’s a very sad thing. I feel sad for the victim and family.

‘This has ruined the rest of his life.’

The court was told that Hellier Laing hit his wife with the makeshift weapon - but she was able to escape through a side door with blood pouring from her head and stagger to take refuge with neighbours.

She was convinced he was trying to kill her, and still suffers from headaches and flashbacks. She has not been able to face going back to her home.

Laing had been drinking Tia Maria and Polish vodka and attacked his wife a couple of hours after they had an argument about him going upstairs while she was out at a rehearsal for a panto.

He rang 999 to report himself and told police: ‘It was literally a moment of madness.’

Hellier Laing was a Conservative member of Teignbridge District Council and a member of the ruling executive committee but resigned his seat the day before his sentencing at the Crown Court. He used the name Hellier Laing during his political career.

Laing, aged 69, admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was jailed for three years by Judge Graham Cottle. He made a lifelong restraining order banning contact with Susan.

He told him: ‘This was a tragic case. You and the victim were living in the same house but had separate lives whilst divorce proceedings were continuing. That is never an ideal situation and is sometimes a very difficult one.

‘I am not really clear why you did what you did but obviously there was an atmosphere of tension and unhappiness in the house.

‘Your wife came back and you attacked her with a mallet, hitting her on the head three times. You did not fracture her skull and the injuries were dealt with by stitches, but it was a very, very unpleasant set of injuries.

‘I have read a significant number of testimonials and references and I view this offence as being totally out of character. I have regard to the fact that you served your country when you were younger with distinction and have served your local community with distinction.

‘You have led, as far as I am concerned, a blameless life and a distinguished one at that. You are highly regarded and well spoken of. Somebody in your position should be able to call on not just good character, but impeccable character.’

Miss Rachel Drake, prosecuting, said Susan Laing came back from a panto rehearsal on the evening of Sunday October 29 to find her husband upstairs. He said he was looking for a suitcase and they had an argument.

She went out to meet friends at the Highwayman pub but had a call asking her to visit her sick mother and went home to pack some things and pick up her two dogs.

Miss Drake said: ‘She went through the double doors at the back of the house and told police he just came for her. She saw a flash and saw a Coop bag which was around something and he hit her several times.

‘She thought she was going to die and felt blows hitting her head. She screamed she had to get to her mother and went back outside. She was convinced she was going to die.’

She had three wounds to her head, one of which needed nine stitches. Police recovered a wooden mallet after Laing called them to say he had used it in the attack.

He said he had been drinking while watching a film and was eight out of ten on a scale of drunkenness. He said it was 'literally a moment of madness' but he had not intended to kill her.

Mrs Laing made a victim statement saying she suffered physical, mental and emotional damage, is having trouble sleeping, suffering flashbacks, and cannot face going back to her home.

Her statement said: ‘If it was not for my children and grandchildren I don't feel life is worth living. I cannot see how he could attack another person in that way. That  is the most terrifying thing. Even is he was very angry, how could he do it.

‘I never want to see him or his family again. I was attacked in the one place where I should be able to feel safe.’

Mr Martin Salloway, defending, said: ‘This was a moment of madness that will resound for the rest of his life. It was a tense domestic situation. It was probably a bad idea to live together when the marriage had effectively ended.

‘He has given a lifetime of public service. He served his country and dedicated his life to the local community. The testimonials speak of many acts of kindness and unselfishness on his part.’