Wrexham Man Jailed for Brutal Campaign of Domestic Abuse

A Wrexham man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison after subjecting his former partner to a campaign of physical and emotional abuse.

Craig Griffiths, 32, of Colliery Road in Wrexham, appeared before Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, May 13, where he was sentenced after previously pleading guilty to controlling/coercive behaviour, intentional strangulation, assault by beating and stalking. 👨‍⚖️

The court heard that Griffiths had been in an “on-off” relationship with Laura Mayers for four years. During this time, he exhibited controlling behaviour including going through her phone, deleting contacts, making derogatory comments, dictating what she could wear, and preventing her from attending the gym because “other men would be there.”

In one particularly disturbing incident in August 2024, Griffiths arrived at Ms Mayers’ home at 3am demanding to be let in, claiming he was “in trouble.” Once inside, he took her phone to prevent her calling police, picked up a knife from the kitchen and pointed it at his own neck before pointing it at Ms Mayers.

The violence escalated further in November 2024 after an argument about Facebook contacts. Griffiths slapped Ms Mayers on the head and jaw before grabbing her throat, squeezing, and eventually putting her in a “chokehold” until she was “struggling to breathe.” He also kicked her in the base of her spine.

Despite being arrested and ordered not to contact Ms Mayers, Griffiths continued his harassment, making threatening phone calls and even remotely sending an image to her TV using Amazon Dot technology.

In her victim personal statement, Ms Mayers said: “I was terrified of what Craig would do next, I felt like I was walking on eggshells every day.”

During sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts stated: “Domestic abuse is serious. It violates the trust and security that should exist between two people who are in a relationship.”

Griffiths, who has 10 previous convictions including domestic violence against another victim, was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison and given a 10-year restraining order.

PC Martin Brannan from North Wales Police said: “This was a particularly harrowing experience for the victim, who feared for her life following the campaign of abuse she suffered by Griffiths. I commend her courage in coming forward to police and providing a statement. This case sends a clear message that North Wales Police will not tolerate violence against women and girls.” 🚓