A VALLEYS man accused of putting an air rifle to his ex-girlfriend’s head was found guilty of having a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

A jury found Matthew Bond, 21, of Clos Trehelyg, Ebbw Vale, guilty of the charge and of the common assault of Danielle Cleaves in Newport Crown Court yesterday.

He was found not guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He had already pleaded guilty to a charge of putting a person in fear of violence through harassment.

The trial had heard that, after Bond and Ms Cleaves had broken up in July 2012, Ms Cleaves agreed to get into Bond’s car to discuss their relationship.

Ms Cleaves had told Bond she didn’t want to be with him, but Bond drove her to Tredegar Mountain Road.

The court heard he got out and dragged her out of the car, pushed her to the ground and dragged her by her wrists before shoving her back in.

Bond then produced an air-rifle, pointed it at her head and laughed.

Ms Cleaves told the trial that after around 30 seconds Bond put the gun back in the car and drove her home, telling her he was sorry and that he loved her.

Bond was found guilty of a separate incident where he was seen dragging Miss Cleave down the road and carrying her in a fireman’s lift.

Bond had denied assaulting Ms Cleaves or possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He claimed it was he who wanted to end the relationship, and that Ms Cleaves had reached behind the driver’s seat and grabbed the air rifle.

He said he then grabbed the gun and they tugged it back and forth before he managed to get hold of it and put in the boot of his car before driving her home. He claims she text him later that evening saying she was sorry, and the couple carried on their relationship.

But prosecuting barrister Sarah Waters said Bond was a jealous, possessive and snooping partner who had tried to blacken his ex-girlfriend’s name.

He was remanded in custody.

Bond is due to be sentenced at a hearing at crown court on September 9.