MAN WITH HISTORY OF PUNCHING AND THROTTLING PARTNERS JAILED
A man with a documented history of domestic violence and abuse has been labeled a "bully" and received a prison sentence following his latest assault on a woman.Luke Meredith seized his girlfriend by the neck after he became upset that she was standing too close to another man.
This incident occurred just two months after the 33-year-old was given a suspended sentence for a previous assault on a different partner.
During the court proceedings at Swansea Crown Court, it was revealed that Meredith has a long history of hitting and choking women.
The judge sentenced Meredith to prison, stating that he has assaulted the most recent partner after his jealousy escalated into anger.
Prosecutor Hannah George explained that Meredith and his partner had a tumultuous on-off relationship spanning about four years, which led them to meet in Swansea city centre on May 17 this year.
She described how Meredith was in a foul mood, shouting and swearing at the woman, prompting Swansea Council rangers to intervene.
The couple then went to High Street railway station before parting ways.
Later that same day, Meredith showed up at his partner's home and began verbally abusing her for standing too close to a man they knew.
He insulted her, then grabbed her by the throat and face, and after she tried to call for help on her phone, he snatched it and threw it at her.
The prosecution added that Meredith left briefly but returned outside her home, calling her derogatory names and spitting at the windows.
He was arrested and later told police he would not comment, although he attempted to blame his partner.
Meredith, of St Catherine's Close, Melin, Neath, pleaded guilty to assault by beating during sentencing.
His criminal record includes 26 convictions covering 62 offences, with nine committed against women, including seven domestic assaults involving punching and choking.
One such attack involved him assaulting his partner while she was holding her 13-month-old child.
He also has convictions for breaching restraining orders aimed at preventing contact with former partners.
At the time of this incident, Meredith was serving two suspended sentences one for domestic violence and another for affray.
Defence representative John Allchurch stated that Meredith has struggled with anxiety and depression over the years.
Recorder Benjamin Blakemore described him as a "bully" who had committed a "disturbing assault" on his latest partner, emphasizing his need to control her.
The judge noted that Meredith's jealousy turned to childish anger that day.
With a 10% reduction for his guilty plea, Meredith received a nine-week prison sentence for the recent assault.
The court concurrently activated a further 10 weeks of the suspended sentence from March for a previous domestic assault, as well as 19 weeks of a suspended 2021 sentence for affray, resulting in a total sentence of 19 weeks.
Meredith is expected to serve up to half of this time in custody before being released on licence to complete the remainder within the community.
