United Kingdom, July 17 -- Denise Richards has accused Aaron Phypers of physically abusing her during their marriage.

The Wild Things actress' estranged husband filed for divorce earlier this month and on 16 July, the 54-year-old star asked the court to protect her from the 52 year old after alleging he was repeatedly violent and threatening towards her.

In court documents obtained by Us Weekly magazine, she said: "Throughout our relationship, Aaron would frequently violently choke me, violently squeeze my head with both hands, tightly squeeze my arms, violently slap me in my face and head, aggressively slam my head into the bathroom towel rack, threaten to kill me, hold me down with his knee on my back to the point where I would have t...