Wrexham man jailed for assaulting and threatening girlfriend

Simon Luke Aldred, of Crescent Close in Wrexham, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday morning for sentence.

The 36-year-old admitted having committed numerous assaults against his then-partner Lois Warburton, as well as making threats to kill and possessing an imitation firearm.

Elen Owen, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant and victim had been in a relationship for roughly three months, and that he had been violent towards her from the early stages.

All of the offences took place over the course of four weeks beginning in July 2022.

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The first happened at the victim's home after he'd been drinking - which along with drug use was a frequent cause for the violence, as well as accusations of infidelity.

As Ms Warburton tried to get rid of him in a taxi, he came back into the property while she was in her bedroom with her two young children.

The defendant slapped her across the face while she held one of them and told her: "You're lucky you're holding the kids because I'd set you on fire."

On another occasion, she'd been at his Crescent Close flat when an argument broke out.

Aldred picked up a 'Stanley knife blade' and held it to her neck while shouting in her face.

He then punched her, causing a black eye and took hold of her right foot before cutting her.

Caernarfon Crown Court (Image: NQ)

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She received a "relatively deep" wound, and ran from the flat barefoot towards Tesco, where she received help.

The defendant had chased her but was arrested - described as "clearly intoxicated" and sweating.

On a later occasion, they were both drinking when Aldred slapped Ms Warburton and accused her of cheating on him.

He left the room and came back with three shotgun shells, carrying what she took to be a shotgun in a bin bag - but when discovered by police later turned out to be a long piece of wood with a battery "crudely taped to it."

However, in the moment, Ms Warburton believed the item to be a gun and thought she was going to be shot when the defendant told her: "If you walk off I'll shoot you - there's a bullet here for me, you and your dad."

The final incident saw Aldred trying to headbutt the victim, then slapping her across the face, hurling verbal abuse and accusing her of cheating again.

He'd been drinking all day, Ms Owen said.

In a victim personal statement, Ms Warburton described the defendant as an "abusive bully."

She said: "Words will never explain how Simon Aldred has made me feel.

"I have been a victim of a very abusive relationship.

"He knew I was at my most vulnerable. This man is not going to stop - I will probably end up dead."

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Duncan Bould, defending, told the court: "I must concede it is unpleasant, but my understanding is [the blade injury] didn't require any treatment.

"In the context of this type of offence, it might not be regarded as being serious."

He reasoned that the imitation firearm could never have been discharged as a real firearm could, and there was no injury at all caused with the object.

Mr Bould told the court his client had severe ADHD, adding: "He is determined whilst in custody to educate himself and is making efforts to improve his literacy.

"He has assessed his own position as needing a full lifestyle change."

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant serious psychological harm had been done to his victim.

She handed down an overall custodial sentence of five years and four months, with an indefinite restraining order to protect Ms Warburton.