GREGGS BURGLAR SENTENCED FOR DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND BURGLARY
A man involved in a burglary at a Greggs bakery assaulted his former partner shortly after being released from prison.During the attack, he punched her forcefully enough to cause her to fall and hit her head on a coffee table.
Gary Matthews, aged 35 and residing at Park Hotel, Station Road, Ebbw Vale, broke into a Greggs store in Tredegar during the night of September 29 and 30, and stole £50 from charity collection boxes.
CCTV footage captured him fleeing the scene.
Matthews had been in a relationship with a woman for two years, which ended in July 2021.
After serving time in prison, he pursued his vulnerable ex-partner after she changed her address to evade him.
On April 22, Matthews spotted her in Ebbw Vale town centre and persistently insisted on accompanying her.
By the early hours of April 24, both were at her flat, drinking heavily when he launched a prolonged assault.
He strangled her with his arm, pinned her against the wall, bit her neck, and threatened to put her in a box and fill it with water.
His brother arrived during the attack but left as Matthews continued his assault.
He punched her in the head, causing her to hit a coffee table, then sat down on the sofa before hitting her again, and later pressed on her, choking and covering her mouth.
The victim managed to break free and knocked on a neighbor’s door, prompting police to be notified.
Matthews later returned, broke a window, and was later found sleeping inside the flat.
He was arrested the following morning after denying any assault.
The woman sustained head wounds that required stitches.
Matthews admitted to charges of actual bodily harm, burglary, and criminal damage.
The court noted his previous convictions for domestic abuse.
He was sentenced to a prison term of two years and seven months and placed under a restraining order.
During police interviews, he claimed, 'She fell, the stupid c***,' and denied assaulting her.
