A MAN, who injured his partner’s hand by throwing an ashtray at her while she was Hoovering, has been released from prison in order to begin a suspended sentence.

Lee Athay, 43, of Pen-mynydd, Blaenavon, appeared via video link at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, October 13, after previously pleading guilty to assault by beating.

The court heard that the defendant and the complainant started their relationship in the summer of 2016, and the incident in question occurred in April of this year.

Prosecuting, Peter Donnison said at the time of the incident, the couple were sharing a flat in Blaenavon.

“For the first few months, the complainant expressed that the relationship was positive,” said the barrister, adding that the couple began to have more arguments prior to the incident.

Mr Donnison said that while the complainant was Hoovering, a metal ashtray was thrown by the defendant in her direction.

“Her hand was bleeding. The defendant was sitting nearby. It was an intense pain in her hand,” he said.

“She went to the Nevill Hall hospital. She said they were moving a television.

“She said it was a lie. The defendant did not leave her side.”

Mr Donnison added that Athay had six previous convictions, including two assault matters from 1996 and 1997 respectively as well as a caution for battery in 2010.

Defending, Ieuan Bennett told the court that Athay’s partner would be waiting at the prison for him following his release at the end of the sentencing exercise.

“If the defendant attains his liberty, she will take him back home,” said Mr Bennett.

“They want to work at it and give the relationship another go.”

Mr Bennett agreed that “a more constructive sentence to how he deals with relationships” would suit the defendant in this case, and referred to the building better relationships programme.

“He has spent quite some time in custody and has had some time to consider his position,” he said.

Concluding, judge J Furness QC said that Athay would benefit from a constructive sentence in order to teach him about relationships, but could not ignore his previous similar offences.

“On April 17, you threw a metal ashtray at your partner which injured her wrist and that that was an act of domestic violence which is a disease in our society,” he said.

“This was not the first time you have acted in this way towards women.”

Athay received a sentence of 23 weeks in prison, which has been suspended for 18 months, but made reference to the 14 weeks he had already served in custody.

He will participate in the building better relationships programme and will be required to take part in 29 sessions, which includes both group work and one-to-one appointments.

Mr Furness also ordered Athay to pay the prosecution costs of £185 and a victim surcharge of £115, totalling £300.