Caerphilly man jailed for three years after domestic abuse and assault

A man from Caerphilly has been sentenced to three years in prison for a series of assaults against the mother of his child. Dale Mason, 40, of Brynfedw in Bedwas, broke into his ex-girlfriend's residence in July while he was under a five-year restraining order designed to protect her. During the break-in, he struck her across the face twice and threatened to hit her with a baseball bat. Prosecutor Alex Granville stated that Mason grabbed a baseball bat, hit her on the left side of her face twice, and called her a 'whore' while prodding her in the stomach two times. The victim recalls her face moving, her glasses breaking off, and feeling frightened as Mason waved the bat. After fleeing to her mother's house, she called the police, leading to Mason's arrest. When police found him, he was lying in her bed with the bat. The court saw images of her bruised face and broken glasses. Mason continued his harassment in custody, getting cell mates to send letters and call her under aliases, asking for another chance, and making nearly 90 calls to her. Judge David Wynn Morgan condemned Mason's actions as 'cunning' and said they were attempts to circumvent prison rules meant to protect victims. Mason's abusive behavior is linked to his alcoholism and has caused the victim to lose custody of her children. He has four previous convictions, including seven offenses such as strangulation and battery involving the same woman, with whom he was in a relationship for eight years. The court heard her victim impact statement describing how she never feels safe and is constantly anxious. Mason's solicitor claimed he is 'deeply ashamed' and shows 'genuine remorse,' but his repeated offending and failure to comply with court orders resulted in a 36-month sentence. The judge emphasized that only cowards hit women, especially noting the victim was the mother of his child, and ordered Mason to pay £187 upon his release.