She had been diagnosed with cancer when her 'bully partner' attacked her and told her what to eat and wear

An "aggressive bully" physically assaulted his partner after she had been diagnosed with cancer and told her what to eat and wear. It was later revealed he was also having relationship with another woman and bought her identical clothes to ones he bought for his victim.

Huw Jones, 58, of Abercynon, was in a relationship with his former partner for three-and-a-half years, during which time he isolated her from her grown up daughters and her family. He was characterised as "unpredictable" and "oppressive" during the relationship.

A sentencing hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday heard the victim kept a diary which would detail his controlling behaviour and him incessantly phoning her. He would also tell her what to wear, control her food intake and would demean her in front of others.

Prosecutor Nigel Fryer said that during the relationship with the victim, Jones was having a relationship with another woman and would buy her identical clothes to those he forced the victim to wear.

On August 21, the couple attended the Carne Park Hotel to meet with others. Jones became moody and began sniping and picking on the victim. He accused her of wanting to be "centre of attention" regarding her cancer diagnosis, and didn't like her talking to other people. He told her no-one was interested in what she had to say and told her to "shush".

At around 10pm the couple left the pub and as they were walking to a set of steps Jones began screaming verbal abuse at her. He then grabbed hold of the victim's face and pushed her, causing her to think she was going backwards down the steps. The defendant grabbed her around her neck, called her a "slut" and repeatedly punched her.

The victim attempted to push Jones away but she fell to the floor and tried to cover her face as he began spitting at her. He then kicked her thigh before she got up and ran back to the pub. The defendant followed her but the door to the pub was locked and the police were called. The victim suffered multiple injuries, including red marks to her neck.

Jones, of Herbert Street, was arrested and claimed the victim was lying, but he later pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and controlling/coercive behaviour. The court heard he has 28 previous convictions, including violent offences against former partners.

In a victim personal statement read to the court by Mr Fryer, the victim said: "The relationship was great for five months until his behaviour changed when he didn't like a work commitment I agreed to undertake. From that point there was verbal abuse and controlling behaviour.

"I felt like I had lost control of my life. He was constantly demeaning, telling me I was fat, scruffy and ugly, which caused me to lose confidence and I felt vulnerable. He always wanted me to rely on him for my happiness and withdrew from everyone in my life because of that lack of confidence. The lack of confidence meant I was not strong enough to walk away...

"I am a proud nurse and I'm proud to care for others but his offending affected my work life greatly... He left me battered and bruised."

In mitigation, Lowri Wynn Morgan said her client was a hard-working man with a stable job and once released from prison, he will go back to his employment and "attempt to be a valuable member of society".

Sentencing, Recorder Paul Lewis said: "You demeaned and humiliated (the victim) and subjected her to episodes of violence. I am perfectly satisfied you're an aggressive bully, particularly in drink.... You have committed domestic abuse in the past on previous partners and you are characterised as a serial perpetrator of domestic violence."

Jones was sentenced to a total of 33 months imprisonment. He was also made subject to a restraining order for 10 years. For the latest court reports, sign up to our crime newsletter here

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