AN ARMY major who went round to his ex-wife’s home and beat her up has escaped jail.

Major Norman Woodhill, of Adjutant General’s Corps, based at Didcot’s Vauxhall Barracks, last week pleaded guilty at Oxford Magistrates’ Court to assault by beating.

The Army last night would not comment on any disciplinary process Woodhill might now be subject to.

His victim, mum-of-two Robyn Woodhill, said she had been “betrayed by the justice system” after the attack at her home in Ardington, near Wantage, last month.

She said: “The police and social services have been fantastic, but the actual system itself has left me very disappointed.

“Initially, I was told the attack was at the threshold for a custodial sentence.

“But as the days went on, I learnt that it just did not happen for people without any previous convictions.”

Last Thursday, Woodhill was handed a 48-month community order, and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and another £85 in costs.

He will be under the supervision of the probation service for two years and must participate in a domestic violence rehabilitation programme for 36 days.

Woodhill has been banned from contacting his ex-wife for three years.

But he has been allowed to carry on living in the same village.

Ms Woodhill, 42, a Macmillan cancer nurse who has been unable to return to work after the assault, told the Oxford Mail she thought she would die during the attack.

She added: “He is now able to come within a few yards of my home only a month after the attack.

“The worst thing is the impact on village life, and that my children and I are frightened to go about our daily lives.

“Most of my time is taken up with concerns about my safety and my children’s safety.

“I think I really wanted him in prison, but certainly out of our immediate area.

“There is a non-contact order, but it is still scary.”

Ms Woodhill said the couple separated five years ago following 12 years of marriage.

They have subsequently divorced.

Last night Woodhill’s defence solicitor Martin Bourne said his client had been suffering mental health problems in the months leading up to the attack.

Mr Bourne also said there had been no previous complaints of violence made against Woodhill.

Last night, Army spokesman Chris Fletcher refused to comment on whether Major Woodhill would be asked to resign his commission following the case.

Mr Fletcher said: “All those that fall short of the Army’s high standards or who are found to commit an offence under the Armed Forces Act are dealt with administratively, up to and including discharge.”