A CAERWENT man who pleaded guilty to driving over the legal alcohol limit then assaulting his partner, has been handed a 12 month rehabilitation activity and a 19 month driving ban.

Martyn Gorton of Merton Green, Caerwent appeared before Newport Magistrates Court last Wednesday (12th August) where he was sentenced by District Judge David Parsons.

Gorton had previously pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and one count of driving a car over the legal alcohol limit.

The court heard how Gorton pushed his partner into the cupboard then grabbed her by the wrists and the top of her arms, pushing her around the kitchen for 15 minutes.

After she broke free she tried to call the police but Gorton pulled the phone apart rendering it useless. She subsequently went to another address and called the emergency services from there.

When officers arrived at the scene, the victim told police he had been recently driving and that he was drunk. A breathalyser revealed a reading of 85 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal alcohol limit for driving is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath.

District Judge David Parsons said: “Domestic violence is particularly serious and usually results in custody.

“In sentencing there are several factors I have to take into account.

“This was a mutually constructed argument and a case where the victim initiated violence”. The court heard previously how his partner had slapped Gorton across the face after he used derogatory language making reference to the way she was dressed.

“You have no previous convictions and have a good educational background,” Judge Parsons said, “You are supporting the victim financially and are of good character.”

In addition to the 12 month rehabilitation activity and 19 month driving ban, Gorton was ordered by Judge Parsons to pay court costs, prosecution costs, a government surcharge and compensation to the complainant.

This amounted to £395.