Risca Man Jailed After Kicking Partner in Face in Street Attack

A Risca man who kicked his girlfriend in the face as she lay in the road has been jailed for 18 months following an alcohol-fuelled attack witnessed by multiple concerned drivers. 👮‍♂️⚖️

Simon Huntley, 39, of Commercial Street, Pontymister, was first spotted striking the woman at a bus stop around 7am on a Saturday morning in Risca town centre. The situation escalated when Huntley kicked his partner in the face while she was lying in the middle of Commercial Street.

A concerned motorist who witnessed the initial attack drove to the nearby police station, while another driver stopped to confront Huntley after seeing him “booting her in the face.”

When confronted, Huntley claimed he was “just trying to help her,” Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Paul Hewitt told the court: “The female was described as lying in the middle of the road with the defendant ‘booting her in the face’.”

Both Huntley and the victim were described as being “intoxicated” with the defendant “in a pretty poor state” when police arrived and arrested him.

The woman, who was taken to hospital with “blood coming from her mouth,” a black eye and a swollen lip, did not support the prosecution and refused to cooperate with police.

Huntley pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the March 15 incident. The court heard he has 36 previous convictions for 65 offences, including previous domestic violence offences.

His barrister Kevin Seal said Huntley’s pre-sentence report made for “sad reading,” noting the defendant was born to alcoholics and has been dependent on alcohol since age 15.

Judge Lucy Crowther told Huntley: “Alcohol is destroying your life,” adding that previous attempts with the probation service to wean him off drink had “sadly” failed.

Huntley was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, of which he will serve half before being released on licence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Gwent Police have refused a request to release the defendant’s mugshot.