Man assaulted wife and hit her with 'holy book'

AN ABUSIVE husband repeatedly assaulted his wife and dragged her out of bed and into his grandmother's house, where he hit her with a “holy book”.

- PHILIP DEWEY Court correspondent

He was also financially abusive and took out a credit card in his wife's name without her knowledge.

Sameer Ali, 23, had been married to his victim for three years and they lived together in Newport, but for the last six months of their relationship his behaviour deteriorated due to his use of drugs and alcohol. The defendant became “unpredictable, short-tempered and aggressive”.

A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard Ali made an application for a credit card in his wife's name, which was successful, and he spent hundreds of pounds which left her in debt.

He also used her bank account without her knowledge.

Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said the defendant had been arrested on March 4 for assaulting the victim and he was released on bail conditions not to contact her.

But on March 19 he turned up at her home and asked her to make him some food.

She could tell Ali was under the influence of drugs and he was argumentative.

‘The victim had put a pan on the hob and lit it as the defendant was shouting and verbally abusive towards her.