The mum of a woman terrorised by convicted attempted murder Edward Rudd labelled her daughter’s tormentor a pathological liar and urged victims of domestic abuse to seek support.

The 37-year-old special forces fantasist was jailed for 11-and-a-half years at Bristol Crown Court this month after he was found guilty of the attempted murder of his then partner Cara Bryant in December last year.

Rudd, a father and former company director, had wrapped a plastic bag around Ms Bryant’s face before holding a pillow over her head. He had earlier chanted Latin-like phrases and claimed to be the devil.

The terrifying incident, which was captured on mobile phone footage after Ms Bryant had the presence of mind to press record on her camera phone, was the culmination of weeks of bullying by Rudd – which he claimed were “pranks”. The woman later died of unrelated causes.

Two weeks on from his trial, mum Louise Carr has spoken out in the hope of preventing others from falling victim to the kind of domestic abuse her daughter suffered.

She said: “If I can help somebody else in a domestic abuse situation or stop one person from suffering like Cara did then it’s worth supporting the police campaign.

“My message is, if you are in a physical or psychologically damaging relationship, get help to get out.  Help that is available through the police or the number of charities which are there for you.

“Don’t suffer in silence.” 

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Cara Bryant Picture: FAMILY HANDOUT/WILTSHIRE POLICE

Ms Carr branded her daughter’s former partner a pathological liar and a manipulative man.

“He had our whole family convinced that Cara was the one making up stories about him, that she was the one in the wrong – not him,” she said.

“He lied to us all the time he was abusing her and managed to isolate her from friends and family – it was pure manipulation.   In the end she was on her own, split from her family and those who loved her because of his lies."

After Rudd was arrested by police on the night of the attack, Ms Bryant went to stay with her mother.

“Cara was heartbroken, in pieces. She was convinced he loved her, and she couldn’t believe the lies which became apparent to her after his arrest,” she said.

“I wish I could have done more for my daughter.  I don’t think his prison sentence is justice, I don’t think justice has been served because when Cara died she died very unhappy because of that man.”

For help and support call Wiltshire Police on 101 or 999. SWA is available 24/7 on 01793 610610 and runs the out-of-hours helpline for Wiltshire domestic abuse service Splitz, which can be reached during office hours on 01225 775276.