'A spiteful, relentless and cruel individual when it comes to bullying women'

A MAN subjected his partner to a campaign of controlling and violent behaviour during their relationship, a court has heard.

- JASON EVANS

Alexander Shannon would assault his girlfriend over issues such as ordering the wrong food and making too much noise while making coffee.

Swansea Crown Court heard the defendant had a history of domestic-related offending, and sending him to prison a judge described him as a "spiteful, cruel and relentless individual when it comes to bullying women".

The judge added that the 37-year-old was the kind of man "who women would be wise to guard against getting too close to".

Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told the court that Shannon and the complainant began a relationship in the summer of 2022 but that it was characterised by the defendant's controlling and coercive behaviour.

She said Shannon would often subject the woman to physical assaults including slaps, pushes and pulling hair, would send her threatening messages, and would often damage or break her personal possessions.

The barrister gave details of three specific incidents, the first of which happened on Valentine's Day last year when Shannon returned to the couple's home in an "intoxicated and aggressive" state after a day of drinking.

The prosecutor said the defendant immediately assaulted his partner by grabbing her by the hair and repeatedly punching her to the head before putting both hands around her throat and choking her to the point she could not breathe. The victim managed to get free and rushed outside while Shannon started "smashing up" her property.