A MAN from Anglesey slapped and punched his ex-partner in her home, a court heard.
Iwan Jones, 39, of Maes Merddyn, Gaerwen, left Dianne Gribben feeling “unsafe in her own home” following the attack on her on June 19.
Today (November 5), Jones was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, at Caernarfon Crown Court (sitting at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court), having admitted assaulting her.
Prosecutor Elen Owen said that Jones and Ms Gribben had been in a short relationship, and after it ended, he regularly attended her home.
She took steps to stop him from entering her property, including locking her garden gate.
But at about 8pm on June 19, he climbed over a fence to try and get into her house, before pressing her Ring doorbell.
Ms Gribben initially did not answer Jones, who was sat on a garden chair and was “extremely intoxicated”.
Eventually that evening, she let him in, by which time her children were asleep.
But an argument ensued, and Jones grabbed Ms Gribben’s arms, slapped and punched her, and put both of his arms around her neck.
She was left with bruising to her wrists and upper arms, said she “feared for her life” and has suffered “overwhelming” emotional distress.
When interviewed by police, Jones said Ms Gribben had herself to blame for her injuries, which he said were caused by "rough sex".
Defending Jones, Richard Edwards said his client’s alcoholism has been an issue “for some time now”.
But Mr Edwards said Jones is trying to address this and has “cut down drastically” on his alcohol intake.
He “doesn’t offer any excuse for his behaviour and apologises for what he did”, Mr Edwards said, adding that Jones wants to return to working on demolition sites.
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones told the defendant he caused Ms Gribben “overwhelming mental distress” and labelled the “rough sex” explanation he gave to police “absolute nonsense”.
In addition, he will complete 20 days’ rehabilitation activity, and a 35-session “building better relationships” programme.
A 10-year restraining order was also made to protect Ms Gribben.
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