DOMESTIC ABUSER STRANGLED AND ASSAULTED PARTNER
A 23-year-old man named Aled Thomas appeared before Swansea Crown Court charged with two separate acts of domestic violence against his former partner in November.Prosecutor Regan Walters explained that Thomas and the woman had been in a relationship for approximately three years.
On September 5, the couple was at home when Thomas threw the woman onto the bed and then wrapped his hands around her neck.
She struggled to breathe but was able to free herself.
Then, on November 7, a confrontation erupted during which Thomas threw various objects, including dog toys and a glass of water, at his partner.
Subsequently, he poured a drink over her.
When she attempted to leave the residence, Thomas impeded her movement, forcibly pushing her to the ground.
While she was on the floor, he delivered a kick to her lower back and allegedly expressed the wish that she be paralyzed, according to the court.
Police arrived after being called and found Thomas visibly angry and breathless.
The victim received treatment at Glangwili Hospital, where she was observed to have a bruise on her left cheek from being thrown down and fractures to her lower spine confirmed via X-ray.
Initially denying the allegations, Thomas later admitted to charges of intentional strangulation and causing grievous bodily harm without intent.
Representation for Thomas, Caitlin Brazel, stated that her client was remorseful, feeling ashamed and embarrassed by his actions.
She emphasized that he had no prior convictions and was still relatively young, suggesting he had not yet fully matured.
The judge, Huw Rees, reprimanded Thomas for his conduct, emphasizing the severity of assaulting a woman and describing his actions as callous and vindictive, especially when he tried to prevent the victim from leaving.
Thomas received a 19-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was ordered to complete 26 sessions of a recognized rehabilitation program along with 15 days of additional activity.
He was also required to wear a GPS monitoring device for six months and was banned from Tycroes during the same period.
Additionally, the court granted the victim a restraining order valid for ten years.
