Two things can be true at the same time. One, Britney Spears has been traumatized and abused, and she’s deserving of our sympathy as she processes everything in real time, as she’s also going through significant mental health issues. Two, Britney doesn’t have any right to abuse, attack, strike or stab anyone because of her issues. Rumors have been percolating through the gossip channels for months that Britney and Asghari have had big fights, sometimes physical altercations. He’s even been photographed with bruises and maybe even bite marks on his arms and face. Now that Sam has filed for divorce from Britney, it’s all coming out.

Britney Spears got physical with Sam Asghari over the years, he’s told people, once giving him a black eye while he was sleeping … sources tell TMZ. Sources with direct knowledge tell us … Sam frequently complained about Britney getting physical with him during their 7 years together. We’re told there have been numerous fights where security has had to step in, but in one instance there was no security in sight.

Our sources say there was one occasion where Sam says he was sleeping in their bed when Britney flew off the handle and began punching him. We’re told Sam did not strike back, but was stunned as his wife pummeled him. We’re told that alleged incident went down early this year, right around the time Sam was photographed with a black eye and bite marks on his forearm.

Paparazzi noticed the bruising and tried to ask Sam about it, but he tried to play it off … asking photogs not to shoot him.

Our sources say Sam was particularly concerned because Britney had a fascination with knives. We’re told there were knives all over the house, including in their bedroom. Britney, as one source put it, “was paranoid someone was going to get her, and she needed the knives as protection.” The sources add Britney tended to “fly off the handle” at the smallest slight, and that terrified Sam.

As we first told you, Sam and Britney got into a huge argument a few weeks ago when he accused her of cheating, and that’s what triggered his divorce filing. But, we’re told that was simply the straw that broke the camel’s back.

[From TMZ]

It’s one thing to admire the craftsmanship of some beautiful weaponry, it’s quite another to have knives all over your home when you’re married to someone who flies off the handle and physically assaults you in your sleep. Dude filed for divorce so he wouldn’t get stabbed while taking a cat nap. I can understand that. Even if Britney deserves the benefit of the doubt, I kind of think Sam does too. I don’t know what happened and I’m not going to speculate about what sounds like a pretty awful domestic violence situation.

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.