Man strangled and punched partner until she felt blood in her mouth

A thug strangled and repeatedly punched his partner to the point she could "feel the heat" of blood in her mouth. He went on to threaten to kill her but later claimed he had no memory of the assault.

Nathan Jones, 36, of Aberdulais, near Neath, attacked his partner at her home on April 4 while she was still in bed. The defendant had gone to the bathroom and could be heard shouting "Are you f****** serious, are you for real?"

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Tuesday heard Jones bolted up the stairs and repeatedly punched the victim to the face. She tried to defend herself by putting her arms up but the defendant throttled her and punched her arms out of the way. He then shouted at her "What have you done, what have you done? Are you taking the p***? What are you playing at?"

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Jones again punched the victim in the face, causing her to spit blood out of her mouth. She was in so much pain she could feel heat from blood and cuts in her mouth. Jones gripped her by the throat and strangled her with both hands so she couldn't breathe.

Jones' victim described the defendant being in a "rage" with clenched fists and gritted teeth. After he stopped assaulting her, she screamed for a neighbour to call the police. Jones picked up bottles, plates and glasses which he smashed on the floor. A neighbour came to the door and shouted for the defendant to leave, but he responded: "Shut up, I have spent a lot of money on her." He then told the victim "I am going to kill you."

When the police arrived Jones had left the house but he was later found in St Mary Street in Cardiff. He was arrested and cautioned, and said: "Stop wasting my time". During his interview, he said he could not remember the attack as he was under the influence of alcohol. When asked about his partner's accusations, he said: "She's got no reason to lie, I can't remember anything."

Jones, of Llys Felin, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. The court heard he has 18 previous convictions, including battery, common assault, criminal damage and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In a victim personal statement, the victim said: "I am still trying to get to grips with what happened and I am in denial a bit, but having come to terms with what happened to me that day I was unwell mentally and went to hospital with a panic attack. I went to see the doctor for anxiety medication. I have an unstable personality disorder and when my mood is low it affects me. I think about what happened, question myself and feel guilt.... This was a betrayal of my trust. A week afterwards I was too afraid to leave my house, my safe space, but the assault happened in my safe space. I struggle to trust men in my life. I won't tolerate domestic violence in my life."

Sentencing, Recorder Alun Eynon-Evans said: "You recognise yourself alcohol has a big part to play in your offending... Your prospect of rehabilitation in the community is limited."

Jones was sentenced to a total of 19 months imprisonment. He was also made subject to a restraining order for five years. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here

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