ABERGAVENNY MAN JAILED FOR CHOKING AND CONTROLLING PARTNER AMID COURT CRACKDOWN ON DOMESTIC ABUSE
An abusive man who "controlled every aspect" of his partner's life headbutted her after seeing kisses on a phone message.He later attempted to persuade her to drop the charges against him or he would kill himself.
Anton Jones, 30, of no fixed abode, was described as having a "quick and irascible temper" and during their relationship, he was physically and mentally abusive.
He exerted control over her financially, in her relationships, and her lifestyle.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that the victim would hide her car keys, house keys, and bank cards to escape his violence.
She described how she would "cower" and beg for him to stop hitting her.
One incident involved Jones becoming enraged after finding a message on her phone with kisses, turning red and screaming.
He got into her face, grinded his face into hers, and headbutted her, causing her nose to "pop" and bleed.
Jones also attacked her while under the influence of drugs, pinning her against a wall and threatening to kill her, even claiming to have knives and to kill himself.
He pressed his foot onto her clavicle to pin her to the ground.
His controlling behavior was extensive, including taking her money, checking her messages without permission, and locking her out of the house.
After the victim reported him to the police, Jones breached bail conditions, approached her again, and tried to coerce her into dropping charges, even threatening to kill himself and pulling out a knife.
The court heard he was of previous good character and suffered from mental health issues.
During sentencing, Judge Eugene Egan commented, "Your threats were unsuccessful.
You made threats to a vulnerable woman at a time you were trying to emotionally blackmail her." Jones pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, engaging in controlling and coercive behavior, and perverting the course of justice.
He was sentenced to 28 months in prison and given a restraining order for 10 years.
