AN EBBW Vale man, described as “vile human being” was imprisoned after he beat his partner and broke her nose before killing her dog.

Lee Williams, 33, of Kings Street, appeared before Cardiff Crown court yesterday, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his then partner, Jeanette Rolls.

On December 2 of last year, the court heard how Williams and Ms Rolls had been arguing.

When Ms Rolls told him to leave, Williams became angry.

He kicked her, threw her to the floor, causing her to crash into the Christmas tree and then repeatedly punched her face and head.

Prosecutor Julian Greenwood said: “She heard her nose crack.

“She feared he would go as far as killing her.”

Ms Rolls was able to grab a china ornament and hit Williams on the back of the head, giving her time to flee the flat and run to her neighbour’s across the hall.

From there police were called.

It was police who informed Ms Rolls that on entering her flat they had found her dog; a 16-year-old cross-collie, Jack, dead in the hallway.

The court heard the dog had sustained significant injuries and numerous broken ribs.

Williams had consumed eight pints of cider before the incident.

The pair had been in a relationship for around 14 months.

In a statement read to the court by Mr Greenwood, Ms Rolls said: “The first three months there was no violence.

“Then things started to change and he became jealous.

“He would check my phone and my Facebook account. I really felt I was a controlled prisoner in my own flat.

“For what he has done to me and Jack, I really hate him. I would call him a vile human being.”

Since leaving him, Ms Rolls moved to a refuge. She asked the court to impose a restraining order.

Defending, Andrew Taylor, said: “He’s deeply ashamed for what he did on this occasion.”

Williams has two previous convictions for violence, both in a domestic setting, but with a different partner.

Williams accepted responsibility for the dog’s death, but this matter was treated as an aggravating feature of the assault, instead of being dealt with separately.

Judge Eleri Rees sentenced Williams to 18 months and imposed a restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Ms Rolls in any way.