Jailed: Shropshire man assaulted ex-partner driving him home from pub

Ryan Twardun, of Hinstock, near Market Drayton, admitted punching his victim repeatedly and causing actual bodily harm.

The couple had been returning from a pub in Telford to the defendant’s stepmother’s address when Twardun began lashing out.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that the 25-year-old had been drinking, and on the drive back was being disparaging about his victim’s friends.

When she told him to stop he began punching her in the face, causing cuts and bruises, the court heard.

“He punched her a number of times to the face. She pulled the car over," said Dean Easthope, prosecuting.

“She got out and flagged down a passing car. A man got out and asked if she was alright.”

Mr Easthope said the victim had told the passing motorists she was fine and then they had got back in the car, but Twardun started punching her again.

The court heard the victim pulled the car over again at shops by the side of the road, where CCTV captured Twardun again hitting her and the two arguing.

At this point Twardun got in the driver’s seat and the two carried on, before police pulled the car over after a report from someone who had seen and heard the assault at the shops.

In assaulting her, Twardun also breached a community order imposed on him in 2016 for harassing a previous partner. He also had previous convictions for affray and drink driving.

Representing Twardun, Mr Paul Smith, said that alcohol has been a recurrent theme in his client’s offending.

“He recognises that and wants to make changes to his lifestyle,” he added.

The court also heard how Twardun had voluntarily joined Alcoholics Anonymous as part of his efforts to turn his life around.

Judge Peter Barrie sentenced Twardun to one year in jail.

He said: “This was a completely unprovoked outburst of violence against someone who was doing you the favour of driving you home."