A woman was stripped naked by her partner who bit her on the face and suffocated her before telling her to get dressed so they could go back to the pub. The assault had a "massive impact" on her life and she is left suffering badly with anxiety and her nerves.
Daniel Hale, 26, carried out a violent assault against his partner after they had been out socialising and he became enraged after accusing her of taking cocaine. Once he drove her back to her home in Treharris, Merthyr Tydfil, he bit her on the chin and cheek and used his hands to suffocate her.
A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Wednesday heard the couple attended the Cwtch pub at around 3pm on February 8 to watch rugby and they had been drinking throughout the day. His demeanour changed and he called her a "tramp" after accusing her of taking cocaine. F or the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
The victim made the decision to leave the pub and went to her grandmother's home but the defendant turned up and demanded she get into his car. He added: "Go on, tell your nan you have been sniffing cocaine. Come on we're going in the car."
Despite being fearful of the defendant, the victim got into the car and was driven back to her home, and she was forcefully pushed into her bedroom. Hale then undressed the victim before straddling her, pinning both of her hands down, and screamed in her face with his face pushing against her nose.
Prosecutor Amelia Pike said the defendant bit the victim three times on the chin and once to her left cheek. She attempted to get Hale off of her and shouted "Get off me". He responded by putting one hand over her mouth and one hand over nose, suffocating her for five seconds. The defendant suffocated her again 20 seconds later, as she screamed for help.
Following the assault, Hale said: "OK, get dressed and we'll go back to the Cwtch to sort this out". She told the defendant she wanted to stay at the house, but he grabbed her in a "bear hug" and dragged her downstairs. When he got to the kitchen, he punched a wall and caused a dent.
He forced the victim into the passenger seat of his car and went back into the house. She eventually left the car, only partially dressed, and ran to a neighbour's house while being pursued by Hale. The neighbours let her into their house, and told the defendant to leave as the victim was described as "cowering" in a fetal position and screaming hysterically.
The police were called and Hale, of Downton Road, Rumney, Cardiff, was arrested and initially denied the offences. He later pleaded guilty to intentional suffocation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage. The court heard the defendant has 12 previous convictions, including offences against the person committed when he was a youth.
In a victim personal statement read to the court by Ms Pike, the victim said: "It's had a massive impact on my life due to this incident and I am suffering really badly with nerves and anxiety. I am in a constant state of fear, anxiety and emotional exhaustion. The incident happened when I was alone and I am too scared to remain in the property alone for fear he will come into my house. My mum stayed in the property with me for the following day when he was contacting me and messaging me.
"I was unable to sleep and I was awake until 11.45pm the next day and I only slept for four hours and couldn't get back to sleep from pain and stress. It doesn't feel like my home is my own anymore. I feel like it's dirty and tainted from the incident. I'm jumpy in my own house and spooked by the smallest of noises. I am filled with fear and dread if someone is at the door. I try to reassure myself as I have cameras to the front and rear. I keep my days busy, I go out in the morning until I return in the evening and keep myself busy with work, errands or with family and friends.
"I am overwhelmed with emotion and stress. It doesn't feel real, I find it hard to accept what I am telling people is what I have experienced and what Daniel did to me. I am ashamed and embarrassed I had to escape and run naked into a neighbour's address."
In mitigation, Leah Pollard said her client's relationship with the victim was initially "happy and healthy" and he was not intoxicated at the time of the assault. The barrister said "matters" from the defendant's upbringing contributed to his offence, which was "out of character", and he hopes to reestablish his business upon his release from prison.
Sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis said: "This was an extremely serious incident. It wasn't simply about you putting your hands over her nose and mouth, or you simply having an argument. During this argument you behaved in an extremely violent way . You behaved in a way that caused (the victim) to run into the street in her underwear as it was safer than staying with you."!
Hales was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment. He was also made subject to a restraining order for two years.
How to access free domestic abuse helplines in Wales
If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales or go to gov.wales/live-fear-free
Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women’s Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs.
The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999.
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