Man jailed for brutal domestic assault after biting and suffocating partner

MAN JAILED FOR BRUTAL DOMESTIC ASSAULT AFTER BITING AND SUFFOCATING PARTNER

A woman was subjected to a brutal assault by her partner, Daniel Hale, aged 26, which included being stripped naked, bitten on the face, and suffocated.

The incident occurred after they had been drinking at the Cwtch pub in Merthyr Tydfil on February 8.

Hale, furious after accusing her of taking cocaine, drove her back to her home and assaulted her.

He bit her three times on the chin and once on her cheek, and used his hands to suffocate her twice, causing her significant emotional distress.

After the attack, Hale told her to get dressed so they could go back to the pub, but when she refused, he dragged her into his car.

She managed to escape by running to a neighbour's house while Hale pursued her.

The police arrested Hale, who initially denied the offences but later pleaded guilty to intentional suffocation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and criminal damage.

Hale, with a criminal record of 12 previous convictions including offences against the person, was sentenced to 16 months in prison and was issued a restraining order for two years.

The victim described the impact of the event as life-changing, suffering from anxiety, fear, and emotional exhaustion, feeling her home is tainted and her sense of safety damaged.

The court acknowledged the seriousness of the assault, emphasizing that Hale behaved violently and dangerously, leading to her running into the street in her underwear to escape.