John Nicholls, of Love Lane, Watlington, was jailed at Oxford Crown Court at a hearing on Wednesday, May 6.

The 56-year-old was found guilty at a trial earlier this year of three counts of assault, occasioning actual bodily harm.

The court heard Nicholls pushed the woman at their home in 2021, kicked her on holiday in Crete and punched her in the face on holiday in Dubai in 2023.

The victim read out her impact statement in court.

READ MORE: Oxford drug dealer caught with more than £17k in cash jailed

Oxford Crown Court (Image: NQ)

She said: “All I ever wanted was a partner to be my equal. I recognise the emotional and psychological abuse.

“He had a specific dislike for my father. I spotted a pattern when he was drinking alcohol. This would trigger the abuse against me and my family.

“I was living in constant fear. He never accepted responsibility for his actions. The punch to my eye in Dubai was the final straw.

“My parents and sister have been a constant source of support.”

The victim’s father also read out a statement.

He said: “Nicholls caused a shadow of doubt. Our fears grew over time.

“Over seven years, his presence was a source of discomfort and mental anguish.

“I believe Nicholls is a violent person and will seek revenge. I do not fear him.

“I believe he is a coward.”

In mitigation, the court heard that Nicholls has no previous convictions.

It was also heard he had a career in the Army as a paratrooper. Also that he played professional rugby and was involved with the fire service.

The court heard he was ‘appalled by his behaviour’.

Judge Michael Roques went through the chronology of the offences.

The court heard Nicholls met the victim in 2016 and that they moved in together in 2017. However, the relationship started to deteriorate after the birth of their son.

Judge Roques said: “You have a significant inferiority complex. You had to undermine her to make yourself feel better.”

The first incident took place in December 2021 when Nicholls pushed the woman and kicked out at her. The court heard she suffered pain as a result and was physically sick.

Then in Crete, Nicholls grabbed her arm and pushed her against a wall. He also kicked her.

In Dubai, Nicholls punched her square in the face.

Judge Roques said: “You cannot stand successful women and you felt inadequate.”

Nicholls was jailed for a total of 30 months and given a seven-year restraining order to not contact the victim.

The bus company said the road will be closed from junction 5 to junction 8A.

The roadworks are expected to begin at 10.15pm and last until 6am.

READ MORE: Oxford drug dealer caught with more than £17k in cash jailed

The bus company has stated it will be unable to stop at Lewknor on the motorway.

The Oxford Tube will instead be stopping at the Mercure Lambert Arms.

The Oxford to London coach route is an express coach route between Oxford and London along the M40.

Operated by Stagecoach West, there are up to five coaches an hour via Lewknor, High Wycombe Coachway, Hillingdon, Shepherd’s Bush, and Baker Street terminating on Buckingham Palace Road, Victoria.

Santander UK is reportedly planning to phase out the TSB name following its takeover of the business.

The banking group completed its near-£3 billion takeover of TSB at the end of April.

It marked the single biggest investment in Britain’s banking sector for more than 15 years.

TSB was taken over by Santander at the end of April in a deal worth nearly £3 billion (Image: Getty Images)

TSB bank to disappear from high street after £2.9billion Santander takeover

British retail and commercial bank TSB, based in Scotland, was founded in 1810, originating from the Trustee Savings Bank movement.

The TSB brand came about in the 60s, and in the 70s the various trustee banks amalgamated to become TSB, with the brand then listed in 1986.

It merged with Lloyds Bank in 1995, which led to the formation of Lloyds TSB in 1999.

In 2015, TSB confirmed a takeover bid by Sabadell for £1.7 billion, and today, TSB operates around 175 bank sites across the UK.

Santander agreed a £2.65 billion buyout of TSB from Spanish banking group Sabadell last year, but said the final price paid rose to £2.9 billion on completion.

Now, after the takeover, Santander is reportedly set to drop the TSB brand and run the combined business as Santander UK once the two lenders have been integrated, according to the Financial Times.

Reports also say that there would be no changes to the TSB brand, TSB accounts or products for at least 12 months.

Santander has completed its acquisition of @TSB, bringing together two recognised banking brands to become the UK’s third largest high street bank.

Read more, here:https://t.co/SUnRFed8Ki pic.twitter.com/0e2DOjkqfk

— TSB News (@TSB_News) May 1, 2026

A spokesman for Santander said: “The acquisition of TSB is about creating a stronger, more competitive bank in the UK, with the scale to invest significantly more in customer service, technology and products.

“TSB is a strong consumer banking brand and we recognise the value it has built with customers and within the UK market over a long time.

“We will consider carefully how to make the most of the brand value in our model long term and expect no immediate changes.

 “Our guidance for expected integration benefits remain unchanged at above £400mn in pre-tax cost synergies by 2028.

“Given the similarities between Santander and TSB’s business model, we have previously indicated that this may be exceed over time across the combined business, however, any upside would come across the combined business and beyond our planning horizon of 2028.

“Our focus is on creating the best bank for customers in the UK and we are optimistic in the value this will create for all involved.”

What does the TSB takeover mean for customers?

The Santander UK takeover of TSB will see the combined group become the UK’s third biggest bank for current accounts and fourth for mortgages, with nearly 28 million customers nationwide.

Santander, which is owned by Banco Santander, said there would be no immediate change for customers of Santander or TSB, who can continue using their accounts and cards in the same way.

Nicola Bannister, who became chief executive of TSB on Friday (May 1), said: “Today marks a significant new chapter for TSB as we become part of Santander.

“I look forward to leading TSB as we combine the very best of these two great businesses.”

Mahesh Aditya, Santander UK’s new chief executive, added: “This is excellent news for UK banking, with the acquisition representing the single largest investment in the sector for over 15 years.

“Bringing TSB into the Santander group strengthens competitiveness in the market and is an important step in creating the best bank for customers.”

UK brands that have disappeared in 2026

There have been several UK businesses that have gone into administration in 2026, with some having already disappeared from high streets.

Major retailers LK Bennett and Claire’s both closed all their stores in April, having previously fallen into administration.

The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) has also vanished after closing its 137 stores following administration, with the last store closing in April.

UK delivery company Yodel is set to be phased out over the coming months after being acquired by InPost.

TG Jones is also reportedly preparing a closure of up to 100 stores, after its owner, Modella Capital, is said to be undertaking a major restructuring of the former WHSmith high street business.

While they have not gone completely, several other retailers have been forced to close stores this year, including River Island, Poundland and BrewDog.

Several other companies have fallen into administration, including:

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It’s also been reported that Morrisons is looking to sell some of its in-store pharmacies as it continues to cut costs.

It’s not been all bad news for the UK high street, with several major brands announcing new store openings for 2026, including Aldi, M&S, and Superdrug.

Are you a TSB customer? Let us know in the comments.