The family of a woman who died after allegedly suffering years of abuse by her husband, tonight warned others to learn from her death.

Debbie Smith’s family said they did not realise she was in a violent relationship until her husband Russell Yeates, 49, was charged with her murder.

Her father Gerald Wiffen, 74, said: “We never knew at any stage what was going on. We never saw the bruises. We could kill ourselves for not being more observant.”

During the four-day trial, Oxford Crown Court heard evidence from the couple’s neighbour Anne Ledwith that she regularly heard Yeates shouting abuse at Ms Smith, 47.

Ms Smith’s mother Mavis Wiffen, of Chestnut Road, Botley, said: “We did not have a clue that she was a victim of domestic violence. We would say to others — do not hesitate to report it to the police.”

Sister-in-law Deborah Wiffen said: “We were quite naive in some aspects.”

Ex-husband Martin Smith, who was married to her for 17 years, said: “Looking back, it was very obvious what was going on.”

Ms Smith married Yeates in July 2007 in Wheatley after being in a relationship with him for just over three years.

Sandra Horley, chief executive of domestic violence charity Refuge, said: “One in four women is abused in her lifetime and two women die every week at the hands of current and ex-boyfriends or husbands. These statistics are absolutely devastating — they should compel everyone to sit up, listen and help stop violence in the home.”