Thug beat his lover when she finished relationship
A THUG treated a woman “like a ragdoll” when he beat her and threatened to kill her after she told him she didn’t want to be in a relationship with him.
John Harding, 25, punched, kicked, and wrapped bedclothes around the neck of Priya Persaud at her home in Newport on April 4 and threatened to “smash her head” with a weight. Days after the attack was reported to the police Harding then visited Ms Persaud’s home again and attempted to intimidate her into withdrawing her complaint.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the defendant and the victim had been seeing each other for a few months when Harding was reported to the police by his parents and thrown out of their home.
Prosecutor Nigel Fryer said Ms Persaud allowed the defendant to stay at her home, but an argument began and she told Harding they were not in a relationship, and told him he would have to find somewhere else to stay.
The next day Ms Persaud got up with her children and Harding asked to clarify her comments. She did so, but when she went upstairs the defendant followed her and punched her to the left side of her face.
Mr Fryer added: “Violence escalated and [Harding] punched [Ms Persaud] to both sides of her face. He grabbed hold of her arms and threw her on the bed, got on top of her and punched her, mainly to the left leg, at least nine times, shouting: ‘I am going to break your leg.’
“He wrapped a sheet around her and squeezed it before grabbing her neck and squeezing it tight. This lasted for 10 to 15 seconds and left her unable to breathe.”
Eventually Ms Persaud was able to escape with her two children and Harding was arrested.
The court also heard Harding was in breach of a 30-month community order.
Harding, of Gaer Road, Newport, pleaded guilty to assault by beating, witness intimidation, and breach of a community order.
In mitigation Ben Waters said his client had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
Judge Geraint Walters sentenced Harding to 21 months’ imprisonment and he was made subject to a restraining order.