Former pub landlady Sharon Broadley has appeared in court and admitted bigamously marrying a man almost 20 years her junior.

Broadley, 40, of Oak Close, Bishops Cannings, pleaded guilty to going through a form of marriage with Darryl Broadley during the life of her husband, Paul Russell, with whom she used to run the George and Dragon pub in Erlestoke. She also admitted making a false statement for the purpose of an entry in a marriage register, by saying that she was free to marry.

Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, told Salisbury Magistrates Court on Thursday that Broadley had married Mr Russell on July 10 2004 but that they had split up in 2008 following allegations of domestic abuse.

She met Mr Broadley, who lived with his parents in Erlestoke, at the pub and they formed a relationship, having a child together.

Mr Broadley told police that his ‘wife’ had said she had got a decree absolute and they were now free to marry at Devizes register office on November 14, 2009.

Mr Broadley, who was only 19 at the time of the ‘wedding’, told police: “We had a wonderful day and a wonderful honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. We were planning to have a blessing at the church in Market Laving-ton.”

But the week before that was to take place, Mr Broadley received a text message from Broadley to say she was sorry but she couldn’t see him again.

Mr Broadley subsequently heard that Broadley had formed a relationship with another man.

Stephen Clifford, defending, said his client had made a full admission to police and wanted to apologise to Mr Broadley in open court.

He said: “She did not commit this offence for financial gain or for immigration purposes. She is a victim of domestic violence who had to live in a safe house in Marlborough before being rehoused.”

Mr Broadley told the court: “She made me feel deceived and cheated. I don’t think she knows how to tell the truth. She makes me feel not very good about myself.

“My confidence was down a lot but it is returning very slowly.”

Broadley was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work in the community. There was no order for costs.

After the case Paul Russell, Broadley’s legal husband, denied all his wife’s allegations of physical abuse.

He said: “She is a compulsive liar and a very manipulative person. It really amazes me that she has got away with a community order.”

Mr Russell, who now lives in Corsham, added: “I did get divorce papers from her solicitor three years ago citing me as the villain of the piece but I would not have anything to do with it.

“I feel sorry for the young man. It has ruined his life.”