GWYNFOR BOWDEN

NEWPORT MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULT ON GIRLFRIEND AFTER PET SPIDER DISPUTE

A man named Gwynfor Bowden, aged 44, assaulted his girlfriend by hitting her over the head with a prosecco bottle after accusing her of mistreating his pet spider.

The incident occurred during New Year’s Eve at his partner’s home in Newport.

Prosecutor Ross McQuillan-Johnson described how Bowden's actions escalated into physical violence, as he also strangled the woman by putting her in a headlock after a dispute.

Both had been heavily intoxicated.

Bowden admitted to the assaults after his arrest and was granted conditional bail.

Later, while on bail, he returned to her house, where they drank and listened to music, leading to another argument.

During this altercation, he smashed her phone when she attempted to call the police and subsequently drove away, only to be stopped by police officers.

He refused a breath test at the scene but provided a sample later, which revealed a breath alcohol level of 60 micrograms per 100 millilitres—above the legal limit of 35.

Bowden pleaded guilty to charges including intentional strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), criminal damage, and drink driving.

He has a previous conviction for ABH from 2012 related to domestic violence.

Bowden is a former soldier suffering from psychotic depression following tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The court sentenced him to 16 months and two weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to attend a rehabilitation program, complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity, abstain from alcohol for 90 days, and pay a victim surcharge.