AN EBBW Vale man dragged his ex-girlfriend by her hair and put an air rifle to her head during an argument, a court heard

Matthew Bond, 21, of Clos Trehelyg, Ebbw Vale, denies three charges, but has pleaded guilty to a fourth charge of putting a person in fear of violence through harassment.

He is charged with possessing a firearm with the intent to cause fear of violence, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating, all against his ex-girlfriend, Danielle Cleaver, between July and December last year.

Prosecuting at Cardiff Crown Court, Sarah Waters asked Ms Cleaver about three incidents in particular, where Bond allegedly dragged her by her hair, slammed a car door on her legs, pushed her to the floor and held an air rifle to her head.

The couple broke up in July 2012 but the prosecution says that in the summer of 2012 Ms Clever agreed to get into Bond's car to discuss their relationship.

Ms Cleaver says she told Bond she did not want to be with him any more.

She alleges he drove her through Hill Top on to Tredegar Mountain Road, where he stopped the car.

Bond then allegedly got out of the car before opening the passenger door and taking and throwing her phone to the ground.

She says Bond then dragged her out of the car, repeatedly pushing her to the ground before dragging her by her wrists and shoving her back in the car.

Ms Cleaver says Bond then went to the boot of the car, before returning and putting the end of an air rifle to her head and 'just stood there laughing.'

She says after about half a minute he then put the gun back in the car and drove her home, telling he the was sorry and he loved her

When asked why she did not tell anyone about the incidents, Ms Cleaver said: "I was scared of what he would do."

She was cross-examined by the defence barrister, Harry Baker.

Mr Baker says the defence accepts that Bond had an air rifle in his car, but it was in the car because he was selling it.

They also argue Ms Cleaver was the one to point the gun at Bond, and that she had a 'temper' and would not accept that Bond had broken up with her.

The trial continues.