Man jailed for attacking partner with a piece of wood
A man who attacked his partner, punching her to the ground and striking her with a piece of wood so hard that it snapped has been jailed for 18 months.
While on bail for the assault, Andrew Hardy, 48, groped a teenager in Welshpool town centre.
Hardy, of Oldford Rise, admitted the assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, against his partner Catherine Lee, on December 27 last year.
He had been convicted after trial at Welshpool magistrates court of sexual assault. He was placed on the sexual offenders register for seven years.
At Mold Crown Court yesterday, Mr Recorder John Philpotts, said: "You attacked your then partner with a piece of wood, striking her so hard that it snapped on impact.
"You grabbed her by the hair, pushed her,pursued her around the house, punched her to the face and knocked her to the ground.
"Her injuries are graphically depicted in the photographs I have seen. I hope you have seen them and feel thoroughly ashamed."
Prosecuting barrister Mr Michael Whitty said Miss Lee, Hardy's partner for two years, had been left injured and covered in blood after the attack at the flat they shared. She managed to escape to a neighbour's house. Mr Whitty said while on bail Hardy approached a 19 year old woman in Welshpool town centre, spoke to her and grabbed her breasts over her clothing.
"The incident happened in broad daylight. Hardy, who smelt of alcohol, told the frightened teenager he was 'a really spiritual man'."
Mr John Hedgecoe, for Hardy said his client had already spent 21 weeks in custody and suggested a suspended sentence so that he could receive assistance.
He had mental health problems which may have been exacerbated by long term cannabis use. The defendant suffered considerable stress and was finding his first period of custody difficult.
