Thug jailed after beating partner in Turkey and at home

A violent thug who viciously attacked his partner while on holiday in Turkey has been jailed for more than three years after going on to assault her again when they returned to Wales.

Jason Watson, 26, of Albany Road, Blackwood, launched a brutal attack on his partner during a holiday in Turkey last year, leaving her with injuries to her hands and face covered in blood.

But the violence didn’t end abroad. After the couple returned to Wales, Watson attacked his victim a second time after he had been drinking alcohol.

Cardiff Crown Court heard during a sentencing hearing on Thursday that the victim, fearing Watson would turn violent again, tried to leave the property – but he blocked her from getting out.

Prosecutor Josh Scouller told the court Watson punched, kicked and threatened the victim about what he might do to her.

She eventually managed to escape the address, fleeing in just her underwear before calling the police.

The victim was taken to hospital where she was treated for a wound to her head, a haemorrhage to her right eye, bruising and marks to her ear and neck, and a swollen face left covered in blood.

Violent arrest

When officers arrived to arrest Watson, he was abusive and aggressive. He threw one officer to the floor and kicked another in the face, causing an injury to the officer’s nose. PAVA spray had to be deployed to help subdue him.

Watson later pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of assault of an emergency worker.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for dangerous driving and taking a vehicle without consent, for which he received a suspended prison sentence. He was on licence at the time of the assaults.

‘Utterly disgraceful’

In mitigation, defence barrister Sol Hartley said his client comes from a “deprived background” having suffered abuse from his father. He left school early and began working at a young age. Hartley said Watson now “wants to be a father to his children.”

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “Your behaviour towards the lady unfortunate to be in a relationship with you was nothing short of utterly disgraceful… You punched her, kicked her, and made lurid threats against her.

“She fled from her house clad only in her underwear to get away. You must be really proud of yourself Mr Watson to behave in such a way.”

Watson was sentenced to a total of three years and three months’ imprisonment. He was also made subject to a restraining order for five years and disqualified from driving for 12 months upon his release from prison.