Terrence John Tonks' claim it was self-defence was rejected by the court and he was today handed a suspended jail sentence
A man who stamped on his partner’s face and struck her legs with a wooden spindle has been spared jail.
Terrence John Tonks had squabbled with the woman, Joanna Mercer, during a party at their home in Holyhead last December.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard how she had punched him causing a black eye and he had slapped her face and grabbed her throat causing her to fall to the floor.
He then stamped on her face causing an injury to her eye and mouth.
She went upstairs and Tonks followed her smashing the bannister as he did so and picked up a broken wooden spindle.
Prosecutor Simon Mintz said he used the spindle to hit the woman on her legs.
Several days later Tonks saw the woman in the street and approached her in a shop where he spat in her face and made threats.
The 28-year-old, of Vulcan Street, Holyhead, had denied the offences claiming he had acted in self-defence but his arguments were rejected by magistrates at an earlier hearing added Mr Mintz. He was sent to crown court for sentencing.
Gareth Roberts, defending, said Tonks was sorry about the incident and claimed he had acted out of character.
“It was a situation which got out of hand and which is out of character,” he said.
Mr Roberts said Tonks had drunk too much that day and had been using too much cannabis. He urged the judge to suspend any prison sentence so various agencies could support and help him.
Judge Huw Rees jailed Tonks for 12 months, which was suspended for 18 months, saying he believed the public would be better served if the defendant was handed a more constructive sentence.
He must also attend a rehabilitation activity programme supervised by the Probation Service and carry out 150 hours unpaid work.
A Restraining Order was made and Tonks must not contact Joanna Mercer for five years.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/holyhead-man-who-stamped-partners-12794774
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