Don McLean's wife granted temporary protection order over domestic abuse claims

Don McLean’s wife has been granted a temporary order of protection from the American Pie singer after she cited a pattern of domestic abuse going back three decades.

Police arrested McLean on a domestic violence charge on Monday, and court records show his wife Patrisha filed a handwritten request for protection.

She wrote that in the early years of their marriage, McLean’s rage was “unfathomably deep and scary”.

She added that McLean’s abuse often left her bruised, and said she feared for her life when she made the 911 call that led to his arrest.

McLean issued a statement on Thursday saying the marriage is experiencing a “very painful breakdown”. He also said he is “not a villain”.

He is due to appear in court on February 22.