'Violent bully' sentenced after strangling and punching former partner

Matthew Evans, of Mayflower Drive, Wrexham, was sentenced after admitting two charges at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

The 35-year-old previously pleaded guilty to one count of intentional strangulation, and another charge of assault by beating.

The court heard the incident took place in Ellesmere in October 2024.

Caroline Harris, prosecuting, said Evans had been at the home of a former partner on October 1, having gone round to fit a security chain to her door.

The court was told that the pair had previously been in a relationship, but had broken up.

Ms Harris said that Evans had sent a series of abusive messages to the woman after the break up.

They included saying “I will smash your face in”, and “you deserve to get the **** kicked out of you”.

Ms Harris said that on the day in question Evans and the woman had been drinking, although the defendant was described as having been more affected by the alcohol.

While there had been no issues throughout the day, an argument developed in the evening and Evans was asked to leave at around 8.30pm.

The court was told that after the woman returned downstairs Evans “approached her and quickly grabbed her to the neck and caused her to fall over”.

While holding her and restricting her airway Evans then repeatedly punched the woman in the face until she banged on her wall in the hope of alerting neighbours.

Ms Harris said she called 999 following the attack and Evans attempted to snatch her phone.

The court was told that the woman then believed Evans had left and came back downstairs, but he was still in the property and swung at her again.

‘His recollection of the relationship is different’

Kevin Jones, mitigating, said Evans had found the “whole process difficult”, adding: “That is two-fold: one, his own behaviour which he has reflected on, and he does not want to say it has been six of one and half a dozen of the other but his recollection of the relationship is different to hers.”

He continued: “What he wants to make clear is he accepts this is his responsibility.”

Mr Jones said that there is a “different side” to Evans, and pointed to a number of references to his character.

He added that Evans has no previous convictions and has not been in trouble since the incident.

Sentencing, Judge Deni Mathews said he accepted the references, but noted none had come from former partners.

He said: “You are a bully, you are a violent bully and these offences comfortably cross the custody threshold - you could have no complaints if I sent you straight to custody.”

He added: “The main reason I am willing to suspend the sentence is that the Probation Service and probation officers are more expert than I am, and they say some work can be done with you.”

Evans was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

As part of the order he must complete 20 rehabilitation days with the probation service as well as 175 hours of unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £1,630 costs.