A “nasty bully” who stopped his wife from staying with her cancer-sufferer mother in hospital has been locked up for his controlling behaviour.

Matthew Vidgen attacked the mother of his three children, prevented her from seeing friends and demanded to check her mobile phone during their “toxic” relationship.

Now, the 37-year-old has been jailed for two years and seven months after admitting assault and controlling and coercive behaviour.

Judge James O’Mahony said there was a history “of nasty bullying” by Vidgen, formerly of Forgefields in Herne but now of Cowper Road in Margate, including stalking his now ex-partner and checking where she was going.

He told Vidgen: “This is a case of a tempestuous marriage, and I have great concern about this case.”

Prosecutor Charles Evans said Vidgen assaulted his ex-partner in Faversham in 2013.

She had gone to the aid of a friend who had broken down in the town when Vidgen suddenly appeared and asked what she was doing.

Mr Evans said: “It was asked in an aggressive manner, which demonstrates the controlling behaviour. He then shoved her into the passenger seat and jumped into the driver’s seat himself.

“He then started the car and drove towards Dark Hill, during which there was a struggle and she received injuries.”

The prosecutor told how she grabbed the steering wheel. Vidgen then lost control and the car hit the side of the road, damaging the vehicle.

Mr Evans continued: “She also received injuries after hitting her head.

“She escaped the vehicle and summoned help from a woman as Vidgen sped away along West Street.

“But he was not prosecuted at the time, although the reason isn’t clear,” he added.

During the “tempestuous” relationship, Vidgen resorted to stamping around to keep his victim awake at night after being ordered to leave the family home.

Mr Evans said: “He also wouldn’t let her have any friends to socialise, and wouldn’t even allow her to stay with her mother in hospital when she was suffering from cancer.”

Vidgen’s barrister, Katherine Kellender, said: “It was a sad state that the marriage had descended into.

“There were allegations of adultery and the relationship had become toxic.

“But he has a good side to him.”