JACK HITCHINGS

DINAS POWYS OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR ASSAULT AND PERVERTING JUSTICE

A violent individual who assaulted both his partner and her friend attempted to bribe the latter with £500 in exchange for dropping her police complaint.

The assault involved Hitchings biting his partner on her arm before pushing her friend to the ground.

At the time, Jack Hitchings, aged 32, had been in contact with his partner while she was out wine tasting with her friend, and he asked her to send him £220 to spend at a casino, which she did out of concern he might take money from her belongings.

During a hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, it was revealed that the victim returned home to find Hitchings still at the property after his car was blocked in by hers.

An argument erupted, during which Hitchings bit the victim’s arm and then pushed her friend, causing her to fall and hit her head.

Hitchings subsequently left the scene and police were called.

Weeks later, he contacted the friend to apologise and offered her £500 to withdraw her complaint.

He was later convicted of two counts of assault by beating and perverting the course of justice, with the court hearing that he had six previous convictions.

In his defense, it was stated Hitchings denies the charges, has a difficult background with mental health issues, left school early, faced academic struggles, but has maintained employment despite setbacks.

Judge Vanessa Francis sentenced him to a 10-month prison term, suspended for two years, and ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work along with a 20-day rehabilitation requirement.