A MAN has been jailed after causing a life-changing injury to his then-partner by punching her with force to the eye.

Wayne Martin, of Church Street in Connah's Quay, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday morning via video link from prison.

The 42-year-old had previously admitted offences of wounding without intent, common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Cheryl Ann Woodfin, the defendant's then-partner, was the victim of all three offences.

The court heard his offending took place during their relationship, in which he punched her to the face and delivered "repeated kicks."

His offending culminated on February 20 this year when, as Ms Woodfin lay face down, Martin punched her to the back of the head.

When she turned, he punched her again with such force that the injury resulted in her losing sight in one eye, which has had a devastating effect on her life, the court heard.

Adam Antoszkiw, defending, told the court: "He has no previous convictions and more peculiarly, had been in a long relationship of some 20 years with a previous partner and the mother of his children.

"There had been no issues of this type at all (in that previous relationship.)

"But it's fair to say, and Mr Martin accepts, this relationship thoroughly brought out the worst in him.

Wayne Martin (NWP)Wayne Martin (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)

"He accepts he was drinking to excess.

"By virtue of his remand in custody, he has acknowledged that problem and addressed it.

"He is working in the prison estate and holds a further position mentoring other prisoners."

Mr Antoszkiw said his client "readily" accepted his crime is so serious that only immediate custody was appropriate.

He asked the court to afford him credit for entering a guilty plea on the day of trial.

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "The warning signs were there, as they so often are in domestic violence cases.

"This was a dreadful 14 month period for your victim.

"And it began with you punching her to the face - tellingly, to the eye.

"Months later it was repeated kicks, following which the victim found the strength to leave you.

"But you were to return and you knew the reality was, as is so often the case in domestic violence, you had a hold over her.

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"In the early hours of February 20, you punched her to the back of the head. She wouldn't have seen it coming.

"When she then turned and shouted out in pain, you punched her with such force and the injury to her eye was so obvious that even you gasped and began apologising straight away.

"It was a dreadfully serious injury and the result is your victim has lost sight in her eye."

Judge Parry told Martin his actions had caused life-changing consequences for Ms Woodfin, and jailed him for a total of three years and four months.

An indefinite restraining order was imposed.