Violent Newport Man Jailed for Terrifying Ex-Partner

A ‘dangerous and violent’ domestic abuser has been jailed after repeatedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s house and threatening to “slit her throat.” 🚨

Thomas Healion, 40, of York Place in Newport, received a two-year prison sentence after being convicted of engaging in coercive and controlling behaviour towards his ex-girlfriend during their 16-month relationship.

Newport Crown Court heard on 4 March that Healion would continuously accuse his former partner of being with other men and break into her house in the middle of the night to ensure she was sleeping alone.

The prosecution said she would often wake up frightened to find Healion asleep next to her in bed.

He continued to contact her despite bail conditions prohibiting this, with police once catching him waiting outside her house for her return from work.

In November 2024, Healion removed wooden panels from her fence to access her garden shed, knowing it provided a way into her property. Once inside, he told the victim she was “lucky he didn’t catch her with anyone else,” that he wanted to “slit her throat” and called her a “rat.”

One month later, while the victim was out with her children, she received messages from Healion stating he “hopes she would die of aids” and that he was going to “fill her in with a left hook.”

By the time he was charged with coercive and controlling behaviour, police had arrested him four times.

The court heard Healion has numerous previous convictions related to violence, with Judge Harrison describing him as a prolific offender.

His defence barrister told the court that while in custody, Healion has been addressing his drinking problem, which was described as the root cause of his violent behaviour.

During sentencing, Judge Carl Harrison considered the defendant’s “established pattern of domestic violence” and stated he did not appreciate Healion’s attempts to blame the victim.

The court heard Healion had three previous convictions for domestic violence, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm in 2022, and battery offences in 2014 and 2012.

Due to the “persistent and prolonged” nature of the offence, Healion was sentenced to two years in prison and issued an indefinite restraining order. He will serve half of his term in custody before being released on licence.