Man climbed into ex’s house and threatened her with knife

A MAN climbed into his former partner’s house and choked her and threatened her with a kitchen knife.

Ben Greenwood pointed the blade at his ex-girlfriend’s face and told her: “Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t do it.”

The terrifying incident was carried out in breach of a non-molestation court order designed to protect the woman.

Swansea Crown Court heard Greenwood turned up uninvited at his ex-girlfriend’s Llanelli address on the evening of June 1 this year after the woman had returned home from a day out in Swansea with friends.

Craig Jones, prosecuting, said the 20-year-old defendant climbed into the property through a window despite attempts from his ex to keep him out. Once inside Greenwood ordered the woman’s friends who were present to leave the house and launched his attack.

The court heard he grabbed his ex and threw her onto the sofa before throttling her to the point she was struggling to breathe. He then dragged her into the garden, pushed her over a low wall, and choked her again. Mr Jones said the woman kicked the defendant in the face and was able to escape, fleeing into the kitchen of the property. Greenwood followed her and then armed himself with a knife from one of the drawers. He pointed the weapon at his victim’s face and told her: “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t do it.”

The woman tried to call the police for help but the defendant stopped her. Eventually the woman was able to get Greenwood out of the house and raise the alarm. In his subsequent police interview Greenwood claimed his ex had assaulted him.

The court heard his victim suffered bruises and scratches to her legs and reddening to her chest. In an impact statement which was read to the court she said the attack had left her feeling scared, having trouble sleeping, and feeling paranoid about what the defendant might do next

Greenwood, of Clos Andreas, Llanelli, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He has previous convictions for domestic burglary, fraud, criminal damage, misuse of motor vehicles, and possession of Class A and Class B drugs. In February this year has was made the subject of a non-molestation order by the Family Court preventing him from contacting or harassing his former partner.

Tom Scapens, for Greenwood, said the defendant was a young man who had led an “unsettled life” but during the four months he had been on remand in prison he had completed courses on domestic violence and first aid and taken a qualification in cleaning services.

Judge Paul Thomas QC said he was persuaded by the contents of a presentence report that the best option – for the victim, the defendant, and wider society – was allowing the Probation Service to work with him under strict supervision. Greenwood was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and a building better relationships course and to do 150 hours of unpaid work. The defendant was also made the subject to a three-year restraining order banning him from contacting his ex.