Woman admits attack on ex

A MOTHER with a criminal record for violence has been spared an immediate jail term after launching a drunken attack on her ex-boyfriend.

Amy Bryant, 32, from Barry, admitted assaulting her former partner Damien Knott in breach of three court orders for previous offences.

Paul Hewitt, prosecuting, said: “She finds herself back in trouble.”

Cardiff Crown Court heard the incident occurred on April 28 after Bryant had been drinking.

Prosecutors said Mr Knott was pushed by the defendant and fell backwards, hitting a fence.

The couple had been separated for several years following a two-year relationship.

Mr Hewitt said Bryant was arrested and taken to the police station where she was searched and found to have a small bag of amphetamine.

The court heard she made full admissions to the officer and accepted she had been drinking vodka since 11am that morning.

Prosecutors said she was convicted of drunk and disorderly behaviour in 2004.

She was handed an 18-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, for two burglaries last year.

That order was extended by three months in October 2016 when she was convicted of assault and criminal damage and she was also given a community order.

A month later she was made the subject of a 12-month conditional discharge for drunk and disorderly behaviour.

Judge Eleri Rees deferred her case to see whether she could manage to go without drinking alcohol, taking drugs or re-offending.

The judge noted the defendant had “done well”.

Bryant, from College Road in Barry, admitted common assault and possessing amphetamine in breach of a suspended sentence, community order and conditional discharge.

Adam Sharpe, defending, said his client acknowledged she had an “alcohol problem” and needed help.

He told the court she came into contact with drug users when she became homeless and accepted there was an “alarming pattern” of offending.

Mr Sharpe said Bryant, a mum of two, wanted to “build bridges” with her family.

Judge Rees told the defendant she should try to set an example for her children and be a good role model.

She revoked the previous order and made a new 18-month community order, requiring the defendant to have a year of treatment for alcohol addiction. Bryant must also complete 30 days of a rehabilitation activity and pay an £85 victim surcharge.