Man jailed for ‘brutal attack’ on girlfriend which broke her jaw

A MAN who subjected his girlfriend to a “brutal and merciless attack” – punching and butting her in the face and breaking her jaw in three places – has been sent to jail.

A judge branded Joel Bruton a bully who cannot control his temper.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened in the living-room of his partner’s father’s house in Morriston, in the city, on February 15.

Dean Pulling, prosecuting, said the couple were arguing in the flat before 23-year-old Bruton was seen to leave – the father then found his daughter covered in blood sitting on a sofa.

Police were called, and the first officer on the scene said the victim was “distressed, bleeding and in considerable pain” with her face bruised and severely swollen.

The prosecutor said that due to a lack of ambulances it was police who took the woman to hospital – she was diagnosed with three fractures to the jaw, and subsequently had surgery to insert metal plates into the bone.

Bruton was tracked down to his mother’s house and arrested.

The court heard that in her initial statement Bruton’s partner said he had repeatedly punched her in the face and butted her – but she later “disengaged from the police” and did not support the prosecution.

Mr Pulling said that given the seriousness of the injuries, the Crown prosecuted without her support.

Bruton, of Cwmbath Road, Morriston, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Judge Geraint Walters sentenced him to 32 months in prison, half of which he will serve in custody.