Man who hit and elbowed partner on multiple occasions jailed for 15 months

MAN WHO HIT AND ELBOWED PARTNER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS JAILED FOR 15 MONTHS

A man received a 15-month jail sentence at Jersey's Royal Court today for domestic abuse.

Paul Powell, aged 38, accepted responsibility for physically assaulting a woman he was involved with.

The victim testified that at the beginning of their 18-month relationship, Powell was a caring and affectionate partner.

However, she observed a slow change in his behavior as he developed a dependence on alcohol and gambling.

Powell was detained following multiple incidents where he hit and pushed the woman.

Although he initially denied the allegations, he changed his plea during the second day of the trial, admitting to striking and elbowing her.

Photographs presented in court showed bruising on the victim, which Powell admitted he caused.

She described herself as once being confident but now finding it difficult to leave her home, stating Powell had "destroyed" her.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Powell explained that his heavy drinking stemmed from trauma related to his mother’s death and mentioned he was attempting to cut back on alcohol.

He was sentenced to 15 months in custody and was also issued a Domestic Abuse Protection Order lasting five years, which prohibits him from making contact with the victim.