SCOTT BENNETT FROM TALGARTH SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ATTACKS IN CARDIFF AND CWMBRAN

In February 2021, a disturbing case of domestic violence unfolded involving Scott Bennett, a man from Talgarth, Powys, who subjected his former partners to severe physical and psychological abuse. The incidents, which took place over a span of several months, culminated in Bennett's arrest and subsequent sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court.

According to court proceedings, Bennett, aged 26, exhibited a pattern of controlling and coercive behavior during a brief but intense five-week relationship in 2020. His actions included invasive supervision of his partner’s personal activities, such as monitoring her bathroom visits to prevent her from contacting other men. He also accused her of having an affair with her neighbor, fueling his jealousy and paranoia.

The court heard that the violence reached a peak after Bennett falsely accused his partner of infidelity. During this confrontation, he physically assaulted her by grabbing her by the hair and pulling her around her flat. The assault escalated when Bennett strangled her with one hand and then took the drastic step of screwing her front door shut to trap her inside, effectively preventing her from escaping. This act of coercion was part of a broader pattern of abusive behavior that included other violent episodes.

Further details revealed that Bennett had previously broken another woman’s arm by twisting it “all the way round” during an incident three months prior. Prosecutor David Pinnell described the first victim’s ordeal, which began after she ended a phone call with her grandmother, seeking support for her mental health. Bennett’s aggressive response was immediate; he shouted at her and then grabbed her left arm, twisting it painfully. The victim, in distress, screamed and begged him to stop, fearing her arm would break. The assault lasted approximately 30 to 40 seconds, ending with a loud cracking noise. The woman was left crying in pain and later told her grandmother about the incident, which led her to seek medical attention at the Royal Gwent Hospital.

Medical examinations confirmed she had fractured two bones in her left wrist, necessitating a cast for about six weeks. Bennett was arrested by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police in Brecon and was interviewed about the incidents. During police questioning, Bennett denied any abusive behavior, claiming that his partner had been violent towards him during what he described as a “volatile on-and-off relationship.”

In addition to the first victim’s case, the court also examined Bennett’s conduct during a subsequent short-lived relationship with another woman, lasting from August 28 to September 25, 2020. Despite being on a tagged curfew related to the previous allegations, Bennett moved in with this second woman and had his supervised address details changed to her residence. The second victim described Bennett’s behavior as paranoid, often objecting to her going to the bathroom, fearing she was preparing to meet other men. He accused her of having an affair with a neighbor and became jealous if she interacted with or looked at other males. Bennett also demanded she delete her mobile phone and even supervised her bathroom visits, suggesting he believed she might contact other men from the window.

Her account detailed violent episodes, including Bennett throwing a cannabis grinder at her and physically assaulting her by throwing her to the floor, pulling her by the hair, and throwing objects at her. The situation worsened on September 24, when Bennett woke her up, accused her of infidelity, and assaulted her multiple times—grabbing her hair, pulling her around, pushing her onto the sofa, and attempting to bite and kick her. He also caused bruising by grabbing her around the waist. The victim later discovered Bennett had screwed the front door shut to prevent her from leaving and raising the alarm. Following this, Bennett slit his wrists with a piece of glass but refused medical help, despite her desperate pleas for him to seek treatment. During the assault, he also strangled her with his left hand, causing her to fear for her safety and her life.

Scott Bennett, of Beacons View, Talgarth, Powys, pleaded guilty to charges of malicious wounding and coercive and controlling behavior related to these incidents. Judge David Wynn Morgan acknowledged Bennett’s acknowledgment of his issues, stating, “I’m relieved to hear that you have acknowledged that you have a significant problem which obviously affects yourself but plainly affects what happens when you form a relationship with a female in the future.”

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the malicious wounding and an additional four months for the coercive and controlling behavior, with the sentences to run consecutively, totaling 16 months behind bars. Furthermore, Bennett was subjected to restraining orders preventing him from contacting each of the victims for five years. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156, emphasizing the court’s stance on accountability and justice for the victims involved.