A MAN has been jailed after strangling and assaulting his partner before burgling her home.

Andrew Wylie, of no fixed abode, appeared at Mold Crown Court to be sentenced on Monday afternoon.

The 29-year-old had admitted at a previous hearing that he intentionally strangled his then partner Magdalena Fornal, as well as assaulting her and burgling her home.

Nicola Williams, prosecuting, told the court that the victim was in an 'on and off' relationship with Wylie for around five months.

On June 26, he was at her property in Wrexham and asked to use her phone to look at Youtube.

But he used it to look at her social media and accused her of cheating when he found messages between her and a friend from around two years ago.

He grabbed her from behind and started to choke her, forcing his left fist into her chest.

She was struggling to breathe and pleaded for him to stop, the court heard.

He relented when she told him her child was about to walk into the room.

Ms Fornal was left with bruising and a swollen throat.

Later the same day, he told her he was going to kill her and pulled on her hair.

The following day he squeezed her, digging his arms into her ribs, and hurled abuse at her.

On the first weekend in July she went to stay with a friend as she was scared of the defendant.

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While she was away, he broke into her property.

She returned to find damage had been caused and her items had been disturbed - with vomit being left in hr bedroom and kitchen.

Some of her belongings including a kitchen knife, phone charger and a locket had been taken.

Not long after, she received a message from Wylie telling her: "I won't be bothering you again, I'll probably be in prison soon. Love you."

Ms William said the damage to Ms Fornal's home had "broken her heart" and he no longer feels safe there.

Alun Williams, defending, asked Judge Rhys Rowlands to give his client the maximum credit for his timely guilty pleas.

"He's been candid throughout and immediately admitted the burglary," he told the court.

"He did join the military and was in the Royal Mercian Regiment for a short time, but was discharged on medical grounds regarding mental health issues.

"That's a problem which has manifested itself throughout his adult life."
Mr Williams added his client had struggled with alcohol issues and - previously - had used illicit drugs.

He was "drinking to excess" at the time of the offences, he added, and had also had a "huge problem" with homelessness.

Judge Rowlands handed down a total sentence of 30 months to be served immediately, and issued a restraining order prohibiting him approaching or contacting the victim for five years.
 

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