© UnknownPrescription: Powerful pills
Dalwara Singh, 41, ground up high-strength anabolic steroid tablets before slipping them into meals and wine for his wife Jaspreet Singh Gill, a court heard.
The powerful drugs caused the 37-year-old mum-of-two to break out in spots and grow hair on her face and back.
Singh was caught when the couple's teenage daughter heard him using a pestle and mortar and his wife found the drugs in a locked cupboard.
He admitted administering a poison or noxious substance with intent to injure, aggrieve or annoy. But he escaped prison and was instead given a suspended jail sentence.
After hearing her estranged husband had also been given a restraining order preventing him from contacting her, Jaspreet said: "I'm happy, I don't want him near me. I forgave him for 17 years but won't do that any more."
Prosecutor Caroline Bray told the court: "She felt controlled by him. Early in the marriage she didn't enjoy normal freedoms like getting a job, socialising and couldn't choose what she wore. He accused her of infidelity.
"In 2009 she found work and got out a bit more. That's when things started to go wrong. He wanted to stop her from going out - he wanted her to be at home to cook for him and look after the children.
"She's now on female hormone tablets to counter the effects and redress the hormonal balance. These steroids have no listed benefits for women and can have permanent masculating effects."
Food factory department manager Singh, of Leicester, bought the prescription steroids Anapolon and Dianabol on the internet. He admitted administering them between last November and January.
When his wife complained that her meals tasted bitter, Singh pretended to be upset and got her to finish them.
Judge Ebraham Mooncey told Singh at Leicester crown court: "You've escaped prison by the skin of your teeth. Over a period of weeks you secreted steroids designed for athletes to gain muscles in your wife's food.
"You may have been doing it to make her give up her job, gain weight and stay in - and make her rely on you. It was a well-planned exercise. She trusted you. It's had a terrible effect on her, causing long-term emotional harm."
Singh has now left the family home and has limited contact with his 15-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter.
He was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to attend a domestic abuse programme.
His lawyer David Martin-Sperry said: "It's a truly bizarre case. He's deeply embarrassed and appalled, ashamed and bitterly regrets it.
"He did it so she'd gain weight to get back to the pattern of their life, so she'd cook dinner and look after the kids."
This woman is a victim of an insecure man. What happens when an insecure Government wants it's people to maintain order. What is the pestle and mortar grinding up in their food?