NEWPORT MAN PUNCHES GIRLFRIEND AND ATTACKS POLICE IN HEAVY DRINKING SPREE

A man named Lee Jones, aged 48, from Newport, was involved in an assault incident where he punched his girlfriend after swinging a "left hook" during an argument while they were heavily drinking. The incident escalated when Jones grabbed his partner by the throat in the street near her home while she was trying to escape wearing only her dressing gown and without shoes. He then went on to attack a police officer, PC Rhys Pullen, while resisting arrest. Footage from the officer's body camera showed Jones, appearing heavily intoxicated, refusing to comply and smiling as he was being detained. Jones warned PC Pullen, "I’ll f***ing kill you mind," before placing him in a headlock. During the struggle, he also tore the officer’s collar and threatened to kill him. Jones has a criminal history with 23 previous convictions for 37 offences, including affray, assaulting police, and battery. The court heard that he had served a four-month jail sentence when remanded in custody earlier. He has previously been treated at St. Cadoc's Hospital, a mental health facility. The judge, Carl Harrison, sentenced Jones to nine months imprisonment but suspended the sentence for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to attend 26 sessions of an accredited programme, complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and adhere to a 90-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. He was also fined a £187 surcharge.