CARDIFF MAN JAILED FOR VIOLENT DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND DRUG OFFENCES
A man named Craig Gillatt, aged 32, committed a violent attack on his then-partner at her residence in Cardiff.The incident took place on August 14 of the previous year after Gillatt and a friend arrived at the victim's home to sleep on her sofas.
Gillatt was heavily intoxicated and became violent, strangling his girlfriend and hitting her over the head with a bottle of Captain Morgan rum after she allowed him to sleep on her sofa.
The victim reported that he 'beat her mercilessly' to the point where she feared for her life.During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Gillatt accused the victim of sleeping with his friend before damaging her television with a ladder.
He also grabbed her around the neck, applying extreme pressure, leaving red marks around her neck.
Gillatt then called the police, admitting to the assault by saying: 'Police please.
I've just assaulted my partner.'The victim provided a personal statement expressing her fears and trauma, stating: "I will never understand how somebody can say they love me but leave me in such a state of worry, confusion, and fear.
I trusted this man, allowed him into my home, my life, and my heart.
I will never understand what justified him beating me so mercilessly to the point I thought I was going to die that night.
I now live in constant fear, can't go out alone, constantly looking over my shoulder and worrying if he is going to strike again." She described her ongoing struggles with nightmares, flashbacks, and living in fear of Gillatt.Gillatt pleaded guilty to charges of intentional strangulation and criminal damage.
Additionally, he was found in possession of 1.18g of crack cocaine, worth approximately £220, after police stopped him in Cardiff on April 26.
He faced further charges for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.In mitigation, his lawyer explained that Gillatt had a difficult childhood marked by substance misuse and domestic abuse, and that he had been suffering from the tragic loss of two of his children.
The court sentenced him to a total of 43 months imprisonment, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence.
