COLWYN BAY MAN JAILED FOR ASSAULTING EX AFTER JEALOUS ARGUMENT
A MAN from Colwyn Bay assaulted his ex-partner after a “jealous argument” broke out, then hit himself with a vase and falsely blamed it on her.Andrew Martin, aged 36, of Princes Drive, was sentenced to two and a half years in jail at Caernarfon Crown Court on June 17 after admitting to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The incident began when Martin accused Natalie Hughes of being unfaithful.
Prosecutor Richard Edwards described that on the evening of January 13, Martin and Ms Hughes, who had been drinking with friends and were intoxicated, returned to her flat where a heated argument ensued.
Martin accused her of cheating, then lunged at her while she was lying on her bed, strangling her with both hands with such force that she could not breathe and punching her repeatedly in the head and face, leaving her bloodied.
When Ms Hughes threatened to call police, Martin broke a vase over his own head, claiming she had attacked him.
He then called an ambulance, pretending Ms Hughes had assaulted him.
Ms Hughes sustained a deep wound to her lip and bruising to her head, face, and neck.
During his arrest, Martin told police it was self-defense and claimed Ms Hughes assaulted him.
Ms Hughes expressed feeling terrified and noted the incident affected her eating and left her constantly conscious of her face.
Martin, who had 17 previous convictions for 29 offences, was described by his solicitor as suffering from severe mental health issues, capable of hard work, and keen to support his two children.
Judge Timothy Petts emphasized that Martin's actions were driven by jealousy and that the incident significantly impacted Ms Hughes’ confidence, imposing an immediate custodial sentence.
