A 45-year-old man has been sentenced to 17 months in prison after repeatedly punching his ex-partner in a vicious assault at her home. 🚨
Craig Griffiths, of Gadlys Street, Aberdare, stayed at his ex-partner’s house after telling her he was homeless. The evening began without incident, but Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that after drinking, Griffiths falsely accused the victim of texting her ex-partner before standing over her and punching her in the face.
During the attack, Griffiths smashed the victim’s phone and cruelly laughed while telling her to call the police. When she did manage to call for help, he continued to assault her, hitting her two or three more times while saying: “No-one will ever believe you anyway.”
The victim suffered injuries to her left cheek, a small cut to the back of her head, bruises to her left eyelid, and pain to her mouth.
In a powerful victim personal statement, she said: “[Griffiths’] behaviour has had a huge impact on my life… I feel so hurt and embarrassed. The physical injuries have healed but the mental impact is long-lasting. I became used to his behaviour… I am fearful in my own home, fearful he will turn up and hurt me, fearful of seeing him even though I knew he won’t be there, I avoid [certain areas] at all costs. I don’t wake up or get out of bed unless I am working… I don’t want him in my life ever again. I feel stronger. I no longer feel like a victim at the hands of Craig.”
After the assault, Griffiths sent abusive messages to the victim, including: “Everyone is going to see the liar you are. Tell the police you are a slag.”
The court heard Griffiths has five previous convictions for offences including battery and criminal damage. His defence counsel, Richard Ace, told the court his client’s life had been “dominated by alcohol” and when drinking he behaves in an “abhorrent way.”
Judge Lucy Crowther also imposed a five-year restraining order. 📱
