 Johanna Croxton returned home against her father's advice |
The father of a woman strangled by her husband at their home in East Sussex has urged people to intervene in cases of domestic violence. Jonathan Croxton, 25, was jailed for life last week for murdering his wife Johanna, 21, in Hastings in December.
The jury at Lewes Crown Court was told a neighbour had heard a row and someone falling downstairs the night she died.
Mrs Croxton's father, Chris Phillips, said anyone who suspected someone was being attacked should call the police.
"The things people read in the papers about the way society is today, I can't blame anyone for not wanting to get involved," said Mr Phillips, who lives in Old Coulsdon, south-east London.
 |  We advised her not to (go back) but I was just banging my head against a brick wall |
"I wouldn't tell anyone to knock on someone else's door and risk getting injured.
"But I am saying you should call the police - that way you can stay anonymous and you won't get any repercussions," he told BBC Southern Counties Radio.
The couple had been married for 16 months and had a 14-month-old daughter when Mrs Croxton was murdered at their rented home in Plynlimmon Road.
Croxton admitted he killed his wife but said he was provoked into manslaughter because she was having an affair.
But the court was told he was an aggressive bully and that Mrs Croxton told her friends and family: "He is the kind of bloke who would kill me, kill the baby and kill himself".
Mr Phillips said he and his wife Jackie once called the police themselves.
 Jonathan Croxton was told he would serve at least 15 years in jail |
"We actually managed to get her away from him in June or July last year," he said.
"She came up here but he was phoning and texting her and she said she wanted to go back.
"We advised her not to... but I was just banging my head against a brick wall."
He had spoken to Mrs Croxton, who told him she and her husband were going to separate, the night she died.
But when he rang back the next morning he got no reply.
Police found the murdered woman's body hidden in the attic at Plynlimmon Road six days later.
Mr Phillips said he did not blame himself or anyone other than Croxton for his daughter's death.
Her decision to return to her husband was her own.
"In the end the person at the other end has got what they want and you have been shut out by your daughter," he said.
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