A MAN who strangled his ex-partner in a jealously fuelled rage has been jailed.

Mark Jones, of Highbury Avenue, Prestatyn, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday (July 31). 

The 41-year-old had previously admitted assault and intentional strangulation on his ex-partner, Jade Spencer-Cox. He had also admitted arson offences. 

Jade Tufail, prosecuting, said that Jones had been in an eight-year relationship with Miss Spencer-Cox, before it had ended recently prior to the offences in December 2022. They were still living together at a property in the Maes Pennant area of Mostyn in Flintshire.

On December 16, the court was told that somebody informed the defendant of their belief that Miss Spencer-Cox had been having an affair. Jones arrived back at home and was verbally abusive. The court heard that Jones threatened violence, stating that he would "rip her face off".

Miss Spencer-Cox called the police, who attended and the defendant then left the property. 

The following morning, Miss Spencer-Cox was asleep when Jones let himself into the address and entered the bedroom, repeatedly shouting: "You've done it again" at Miss Spencer-Cox. 

The court heard that the defendant jumped onto the bed and pressed one of his hands on Miss Spencer-Cox's chest, and the other around her throat - using "some force" to do so.

The victim struggled to breathe, and then Jones put his other hand on her neck and he strangled her. Miss Spencer-Cox kicked out at the defendant, either causing him to stop or stopping by his own volition. 

Miss Spencer-Cox managed to flee the property and ran to a neighbour's house. She told her neighbour she'd been attacked, and red marks were visible on her neck. When the neighbour spoke with Jones, he said: "I'm going to kill her". 

Mark Jones (NWP)Mark Jones (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) The court heard that the defendant then started a fire in the property's garden, in which he burned some items of clothing belonging to Miss Spencer-Cox, to the value of around £100. 

Later that morning, Jones handed himself into police and was arrested. In police interview, Jones claimed Miss Spencer-Cox had tried punching out at him three times and that he'd tried to grab her in self-defence.

Jones, who has previous convictions for threatening behaviour, drunk and disorderly and possession with intent to supply cannabis, initially denied squeezing her neck. 

The case went to a trial on April 17, but Jones then changed his plea to guilty to all offences on the first day of the trial. 

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In a victim personal statement read out to the court, Miss Spencer-Cox said she has suffered mental health issues due to the trauma of what happened. She has been "struggling to cope" and that her sleep has suffered as a result. 

Kevin Murtagh, defending, said Jones is "deeply regretful" of what he did. Mr Murtagh said the defendant holds down an "extremely good" job as a contractor for a company which sub-contracts for the Ministry of Defence.

Mr Murtagh described it as a "one-off" event after Jones "lost it" about what was said about Miss Spencer-Jones allegedly cheating on him.

Judge Timothy Petts handed Jones a two-year prison sentence. He is also subject to an indefinite restraining order against Miss Spencer-Cox.