Sorry for being late back....I was at work! Get on to the NCDV....they'll help you navigate through NMO....and they may even help with a Prohibited Steps Order and/or a Child Arrangements Order. It's worth asking about. I reckon it's worth you paying the £300 for legal help. Have a solicitor fight your corner. I couldn't have got through the last few weeks without my solicitor. She has been amazing. Every single bit of crap he has pulled, I have passed on to her, SS, police and so on. I was terrified (still am), at same time, I'll be damned if I'm going to put up with his crap any more.
Please keep at it, don't drop the charges and don't let him win this one. You have NOTHING to blame yourself for!!! You are NOT at fault. You wouldn't put up with a stranger punching you in the face, no one has a right to do that ever.
Speak to Women's Aid, NCDV, SS and whoever the hell you can. You've got a right to live without fear. Get something in place where contact - if it gets to that after his disgusting behaviour - would be on set days/times and at a contact centre (so you don't even have to see Ex). I have a 3rd party with me at all times when my DC has contact with my ex. I don't answer the phone to my ex, and communicate only via text or email.My solicitor wrote to him, warning him about his abusive behaviour.
The peace you feel once this stuff is done and dusted is immense. I'm already feeling it, and I still have a way to go re: court stuff etc.
Speak to your trusted friends etc, let them support you. And work too. xx