CAERNARFON WOMAN HIT EX-PARTNER WITH SAUCEPAN AND IS GIVEN SUSPENDED SENTENCE
A mother from Caernarfon hit her former partner on the head with a saucepan while he was sleeping on the sofa.Kelly Cavanagh, 35, of Llys Talar, Pendalar, Caernarfon, admitted a wounding charge.
The court heard she had mental health issues and was handed a 16-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.
It was reported that Cavanagh and Mr Williams had been in a relationship for six years and had four children, but both would drink and become violent.
In February 2024, Mr Williams had gone to Cavanagh's home to take the children to school but ended up falling asleep on a sofa.
During this time, Cavanagh hit him on the head with a saucepan and, when he awoke, saw the saucepan on the floor.
He entered the kitchen to find Cavanagh holding a knife; he took the weapon from her and tried to leave, but she dragged him back and bit his leg before he managed to escape.
When outside, he discovered Cavanagh had damaged his van's windscreen and headlight.
The court was told Cavanagh had also gone through Mr Williams' mobile phone, finding messages from his mother and sister despite being banned from contact with them.
She later sent threatening messages about coming to her sister's house, saying, "I'll smash your house." Police found that Cavanagh had previously hit a partner with a saucepan in 2022.
Her lawyer explained she suffered from an emotionally unstable personality and ADHD, and did not have contact with her children, missing them greatly.
The judge noted her actions had caused serious harm but emphasized she did not require hospital treatment and that there was no allegation related to the knife.
Giving her a suspended sentence, the judge, Her Honour Nicola Jones, stated it would be emotionally harmful to her children if she went directly to jail.
She was ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation.
The main charge was wounding; no separate penalties were imposed for criminal damage or threats.
The victim’s sister was terrified that Cavanagh's threats would be carried out, but the judge recognized her mental health difficulties contributed to her actions.
