Man jailed for brutal attack on pregnant ex-partner

A Newport man who launched a vicious assault on his pregnant ex-girlfriend after taking crack cocaine has been locked up for two years.

Luke Enos punched, bit, throttled and kicked his former partner – who was four and a half months pregnant with his child – before stripping naked, masturbating in front of her and spitting at her during the horrifying attack at his flat.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the 38-year-old’s victim had visited his property on September 11 to discuss arrangements for a dog following their separation in May. Prosecutor Jac Brown told the court the meeting started calmly, but Enos’ behaviour turned violent after he drank alcohol and smoked crack cocaine.

The court was told Enos became “angry and erratic” before flying into an “enraged” state when his ex-partner tried to leave. He began punching and biting her, then dragged her away from the front door by her hair and threw her to the ground.

Enos grabbed the woman by the throat, leaving her fearing for her life, before kicking her in the head and stomach. When she reminded him she was pregnant with his child, he continued the assault.

The defendant then removed all his clothes and began smashing up his own flat. He masturbated in front of his terrified ex-partner and spat at her before she managed to escape to a waiting taxi outside.

Still naked, Enos followed her into the street. The taxi driver took the woman to the taxi office, where staff called police.

Officers arrested Enos at his address and took him to Ystrad Mynach police station. During interview, he denied assaulting his ex, claiming he was the victim.

After being released on bail, Enos breached the conditions by contacting his former partner on Facebook and leaving her voice messages. He was arrested again for the breach before being readmitted to bail.

In a victim statement read to the court, the woman said the incident had had a “profound effect” on her. She struggles to sleep and suffers nightmares when she does.

She told the court she couldn’t understand why someone she had treated “like a king” had treated her “like dirt”. The woman said Enos makes her feel “sick” and scares her, adding that he had tried to intimidate her during the trial.

Enos, of Victoria Crescent, Newport, was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and strangulation. He has 20 previous convictions for 34 offences.

Defence barrister Hywel Davies said his client now accepts his conduct. He told the court Enos has a 16-year-old daughter and lives in council accommodation which provides stability in his life. The defendant was concerned he would lose his home if sent to immediate custody.

Judge Paul Thomas told Enos he had subjected his victim to a “sustained, merciless and brutal attack” by punching, biting, kicking, strangling and dragging her around by her hair. The judge said when Enos put his hands around the woman’s throat, she hadn’t known if he was going to stop or if she was going to live or die.

He said the defendant had then decided to “humiliate” the woman by masturbating in front of her and spitting at her. Judge Thomas said he didn’t accept that Enos was sorry for what he had done, noting the author of the pre-sentence report could find no remorse.

The best that could be said for the defendant was that he was “overwhelmed by self pity” now he knew he was facing prison, the judge added.

Judge Thomas asked Enos: “How would you feel if a man treated your daughter in the way you treated that poor lady?”

Enos was sentenced to two years in prison and will serve up to half the sentence in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community. He was made subject to a five-year restraining order banning him from contacting his ex.