Abergavenny man blamed voices in head for assault (From South Wales Argus)

Abergavenny man blamed voices in head for assault

4:40pm Friday 4th January 2013 in Gwent news By Ruth Mansfield

A MAN who blamed voices in his head after assaulting an ex-partner was given a 12-month community order.

Scott Sims, 21, of Commercial Street, Abergavenny, appeared at Newport Crown Court after pleading guilty to the assault occasioning actual bodily harm of Tasmin Lewis and two counts of criminal damage.

When arrested in May, Sims said he had heard voices in his head telling him to take them to a better place.

Prosecutor David Pugh said Sims had been in a relationship with Ms Lewis for a year prior to the incident.

On May 12 Sims had punched a door at her home leaving three fistsized holes. The pair argued on May 17 and Ms Lewis asked him to leave. Sims did not and the next day threw a television remote control which hit the wall and broke.

Ms Lewis then sat on the stairs and the defendant put his arms under hers pulling her up the stairs.

But Ms Lewis then realised she was at the bottom of the stairs with the defendant sat on top of her with his hand over her mouth which caused a cold sore to bleed.

Shemanaged to get free and went to the kitchen where the defendant put a knife to his own arm before throwing it in the sink and running away.

Ms Lewis was left with scratches and redness to her nose and left cheek and redness to her neck, collar bone and shoulder.

Sims, who has previous convictions for assault and criminal damage, pleaded guilty to the assault charge on a basis which included that he had held the knife to his arm with the intent to cut himself and had not held it to Ms Lewis.

Representing Sims, Fiona Thomas said he was “devastated”

and acknowledged he faced difficulties when taking drugs and was seeking assistance.

Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Eleri Rees sentenced Sims to the community order with a 12-month supervision requirement and ordered him to complete a ninemonth drug rehabilitation course.

He is also the subject of a restraining order until further notice banning him from contacting Ms Lewis.