Published date: 11 October 2016 |
Published by: Staff reporterRead more articles by Staff reporterEmail reporter
Graphic images of a battered teenage mum were displayed on large TV screens in a court for a 19-year-old to see what he had done.
Owen Hunt, of Palace Avenue, Rhyl, was told by Judge Merfyn Hughes QC: "She's quite unrecognisable from the injuries she sustained as a result of your assault."
Hunt was locked up for 16 months at Caernarfon crown court after he admitted assault causing actual bodily harm on Tia Edwards, aged 17, and damaging a TV.
A two-year restraining order bans him from contacting the victim, although a defence barrister said she had told Hunt she forgave him. "She wants him to stop saying sorry. She indicates she does miss him and love him and can't wait to see him," said Simon Killeen, defending. "There's no suggestion he had been violent to her in the past."
Judge Hughes told Hunt: "This was a case of a sustained assault on her. You used a chair as a weapon."
He said Hunt had "certain difficulties" but added: "I take the view these matters are so serious the time has come now you must face up to your violent behaviour and serve an immediate custodial sentence."
Prosecutor Matthew Curtis said the victim was in semi-independent living and had been friends with Hunt for three years but not in a relationship with him.
Last month, after drinking wine and bottles of Desperados beer, Hunt's mood became "difficult."
Mr Curtis said he followed Miss Edwards into her bedroom and when she declined to be his girlfriend he jumped on top of her, put his hand around her neck, and began punching her.
At another stage during her ordeal he slapped her and hurled a baby swing chair which struck the victim's head. According to the landlord of the property, Hunt behaved "normally' afterwards.
On his arrest he told police “she won't make a complaint, this will be NFAd (no further actioned).”
Counsel added that Miss Edwards had a chipped tooth and was bruised and scratched.
The victim, in an impact statement, had declared :"I loved Owen at the time and didn't believe he would ever hit me."
She added: "The injuries have now healed."
Mr Killeen said Hunt had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had expressed remorse.
They were unpleasant images of the victim.
"I can well understand why you feel it appropriate he should see them," he told the judge.
http://www.rhyljournal.co.uk/news/167769/rhyl-man-jailed-for-16-months-for-brutal-attack-on-17-year-old-girl.aspx
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