Boyfriend jailed for ‘appalling’ domestic abuse campaign

A boyfriend has been jailed for 12 months after subjecting his partner to an “appalling” campaign of domestic violence including strangulation and assault across three separate incidents.

Jordan Baldwin, 23, of no fixed abode, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court after attacking his partner on three occasions in April and May in Bargoed. The couple had been together for around 10 months but have since separated.

On April 23, Baldwin sent his victim texts accusing her of cheating before showing up at her home at 1pm, climbing through a window and slapping her. Passers-by heard the incident and came to her aid, removing Baldwin from the property.

During a second attack on May 5, Baldwin grabbed his partner by the shoulders and threw her around the room, causing bruising to her legs. He then pinned her on the bed and strangled her, leaving red marks on her throat. The victim had to bite his shoulder to break free.

The final incident occurred on May 22 when Baldwin returned to the property in “a bad mood” due to not having enough cannabis. He grabbed the victim by the hair, pulling a clump out, before climbing through a window and slapping her across the face. He then threw her into a table, leaving her winded, and damaged a window, the table, and an urn containing the victim’s father’s ashes.

Baldwin pleaded guilty to three offences of assault by beating, two offences of criminal damage, and charges of using violence to secure entry to premises and intentional strangulation. He had four previous convictions for nine offences, including battery, criminal damage and harassment against a previous partner.

Jac Brown, mitigating, said: “Mr Baldwin has shown genuine remorse. He’s not sought to offset blame on to the defendant. He takes full responsibility for his behaviour. In fact, he’s ashamed of his behaviour. He accepts he is unable to control himself when he’s angry.”

The court heard Baldwin was engaging with the mental health team whilst in custody to help develop coping strategies for his anger management.

Judge Shomon Khan said: “This really is an appalling catalogue of domestic abuse. This would have been terrifying for the victim.”

Baldwin was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and the victim was granted a five-year restraining order.