A MAN who left his partner “battered and bruised” claimed to police that she had fallen down the stairs.
Callum Williams, of Tanydarren in Cilmaengwyn, in the Swansea Valley, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting an offence of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Prosecutor Francesca Parry told the court that the victim messaged her aunt on the evening of September 8. Her aunt thought that the messages weren’t making sense, so called her.
After speaking on the phone with the victim – who told her Williams was in bed and she was about to go to bed – she called the victim’s mum.
After the victim’s mum couldn’t get in touch with her daughter, they arranged to go to the victim’s house to check on her.
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As they arrived, Williams left the property and “appeared to be intoxicated”, Ms Parry said. Inside, the victim’s family found her lying on the floor.
“She had blood on the left-hand side of her face and ear and was going in and out of consciousness”, before telling them that Williams had assaulted her, Ms Parry said.
The police and ambulance were called, and the victim had to be immobilised by paramedics as she was taken to hospital.
Williams was stopped in the Waunarlwydd area of Swansea at just after 10pm. When breathalysed, he recorded having 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35.
He told officers “I didn’t do anything to her, she had fallen down the stairs”, Ms Parry said.
Williams was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and the assault.
The court heard that 29-year-old Williams had three previous convictions, although none of these were for violence and he had stayed out of trouble for a decade.
David Singh, in mitigation, said the defendant had been in custody some two-and-a-half months – the equivalent of a five-month sentence.
Judge Paul Thomas KC said that, factoring Williams’ credit for his guilty plea, the defendant had effectively served the sentence he was going to receive. He asked Mr Singh if he wanted to make any further mitigation, to which he declined.
The court was told that the victim was not supportive of the prosecution, and had not provided a statement to the CPS.
“Back in September your actions caused your partner significant injuries,” said Judge Thomas, addressing Williams. “She was left battered and bruised when seen by paramedics.”
The defendant was sentenced to 20 weeks imprisonment, and the victim was granted a three-year restraining order against him.
Previously, at Swansea Magistrates' Court on September 9, Williams admitted drink driving and was disqualified for 16 months. He was also fined £500 and was ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and £85 in costs.
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