Rhys Chalmers (Image: South Wales Police)
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A victim of domestic abuse has described how she can no longer go anywhere without being accompanied by family members following months of violence at the hands of her former partner.
The relationship
Rhys Chalmers, 46, of Heol Mair, Penrhys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, began a relationship with the woman which initially appeared unremarkable. However, prosecutor Bethan Evans told Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court that Chalmers gradually became aggressive after drinking, with the violence escalating over a period of months.
The assaults
The first attack took place on January 18, 2025, when the pair had been drinking together in her room. As Chalmers became increasingly intoxicated his behaviour changed and he turned aggressive, the court heard. The woman’s next memory was being on the floor as Chalmers punched her face two or three times, leaving her with injuries around her eyes.
Ms Evans told the court the violence became so routine that the victim was unable to recall specific dates or details for every incident.
On May 12, 2025, Chalmers followed his partner out of the bedroom carrying a bottle of yellow liquid which turned out to be urine. He forced her down and poured the contents over her.
Further assaults followed. On June 21, 2025, he punched her to the face without warning while they were drinking together. Weeks later, on July 16, he kicked and punched her off the bed, causing eye injuries she felt compelled to conceal with make-up.
Controlling behaviour
Beyond the physical violence, the court heard Chalmers destroyed his partner’s property, smashing two television screens. He used derogatory language towards her, made false accusations of infidelity, prevented her from going anywhere unaccompanied, and confiscated her belongings – including her bank cards – refusing to return them.
Victim impact
Summarising the victim’s impact statement, Ms Evans told the court the woman now has to be escorted by her son or her mother whenever she leaves the house. She said she could not see herself entering an intimate relationship or trusting a man again.
Defence arguments
Solomon Hartley, representing Chalmers, said his client had been in employment throughout his life and did not have a bad record. He said the offending was linked to a recent downturn in Chalmers’ life which had caused his alcohol problem to spiral.
Sentencing
Chalmers had three previous convictions for four offences, including causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage, with his last court appearance in 2024.
He pleaded guilty to one count of controlling and coercive behaviour of a physical nature and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour of a non-physical nature.
Judge Lucy Crowther said: “It seems you have been overwhelmed by an unhealthy addiction to alcohol and you do not have an understanding of what a healthy relationship is.”
She sentenced Chalmers to 25 months in prison and imposed a three-year restraining order to protect his former partner.
