Newport man jailed for strangling girlfriend and spitting at PC

A Newport man who attacked his girlfriend in violent assaults and spat in a police officer’s face has been jailed for 26 months.

Samuel O’Connor, 26, of Jenkins Street, Newport, was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court for offences against his former partner and Gwent Police officer PC Finley Doyle, who has since left the force.

The court heard that O’Connor carried out two separate assaults on his girlfriend in Cwmbran on 11 June and 24 June during what was described as their “toxic and tempestuous” relationship.

In the first attack, he punched or stamped on her head after grabbing her by the hair as she cleaned the bathroom floor. This followed an evening of drinking when O’Connor had accused her of wanting his friend to “stay over”. In a jealous rage, he also destroyed her phone.

The second assault occurred when he grabbed her by the throat whilst they travelled in a taxi.

Prosecutor Christopher Evans told the court: “The victim said their relationship was good initially but she describes feeling trapped. She began drinking more and more and started smoking crack cocaine to help her cope with the defendant. He would use her money to buy drugs.”

In a victim impact statement, the woman revealed she struggles with her mental health and has “more bad days than good”. She said O’Connor has been sending her letters and cards from prison, making her feel “uncomfortable”.

The assault on PC Doyle occurred on 19 May last year during an unrelated incident. Despite being placed in a spit hood, O’Connor managed to spit at the officer, with spittle landing on his face, mouth and glasses. He later became unconscious and was taken to hospital, where he was “aggressive and abusive” to medical staff.

O’Connor admitted strangulation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assault of an emergency worker and two counts of criminal damage. He has seven previous convictions for 12 offences, including robbery and possession of an offensive weapon as a youth.

Judge Richard Kember said: “You sought to minimise your behaviour and blame the victim for the offences.”

A restraining order was also imposed.