NEWPORT THUG WHO ASSAULTED EX USED HER MONEY TO BUY DRUGS
A THUG who "punched or stamped" on the back of his girlfriend’s head before going on to strangle her would use her money to buy drugs.Samuel O'Connor, 26, from Newport attacked the woman towards the end of their “toxic and tempestuous” relationship.
The defendant was also being sentenced for separate offences of spitting in PC Finley Doyle’s face and urinating in the back of a Gwent Police van, in a separate attack.
The officer has since left the force, Cardiff Crown Court was told.
Christopher Evans, prosecuting, said the offences against his now former partner took place in Cwmbran on Wednesday, June 11 and Tuesday, June 24.
In the first he punched or stamped on girlfriend’s head after grabbing her by the hair as she cleaned the bathroom floor.
The previous night, the couple had been drinking with a friend of O'Connor’s at home and the defendant shared before he accused her of wanting this man to “stay over”.
In a fit of jealous rage after this, he also destroyed her phone.
The second assault happened when he grabbed her by the throat while they were travelling in a taxi.
Mr Evans told the court: “The victim said their relationship was good initially but she describes feeling trapped.
“She began drinking more and more and started smoking crack cocaine to help her cope with the defendant.
“He would use her money to buy drugs.” In a victim impact statement she told the court how she struggles with her mental health and has “more bad days than good”.
O'Connor, she revealed, has been sending her letters and cards from prison since he was held on remand which makes her feel “uncomfortable”.
