Greenfield man breached restraining order at Gwynedd hotel

Nathan Bennett, of Park Hall Road in Greenfield, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court for sentence on Thursday.

The 35-year-old had pleaded guilty at  previous hearing to breaching a restraining order, assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing police.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court the incident took place at the Sandbanks Hotel in Marine Parade, Barmouth, on Friday, July 5.

Police were called as Bennett was in the company of a woman named Sky Hanson, which he was prohibited from doing by a restraining order imposed by Mold Magistrates Court in October 2015.

A significant amount of police resources were deployed to try and persuade the defendant to comply with the arrest procedure.

During that process, the defendant punched an officer with "considerable force" to the face twice.

That assault caused the officer concussion, as well as bruising, swelling and pain to the side of the head.

Mr Espie said the defendant had a "history of violence and domestic violence."

Gary Harvey, defending, told the court: "He's pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.

Nathan Bennett (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) "And on the last convictions [on his record] he has served a lot of time in custody."

Mr Harvey conceded the breach of the restraining order had been deliberate, but he asked the court to weigh up whether there was any prospect of suspending jail time.

District Judge Gwyn Jones told Bennett: "It became clear that there was an incident of a domestic nature involving you and a partner by the name of Sky Hanson.

"Officers were made aware by the staff at the Sandbanks Hotel that there had been the use of what they believed to be violence.

"There were concerns for the welfare of Ms Hanson and those officers tried to persuade you to work with them and leave the premises.

"But you made their job significantly difficult. It was clear you were not to be persuaded to leave the hotel quietly."

The Judge jailed Bennett for a total of 44 weeks.