A SALTNEY man has avoided jail after he admitted punching his ex-partner's mum while she held his baby.

Mark James Pownall, of Celyn Crescent, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday.

The 33-year-old had admitted previously that on December 20, 2019, he assaulted Karen Tudor, occasioning her actual bodily harm.

Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, told the court on the day of the offence his young child was being looked after by his ex-partner's sister.

When she was bringing the baby back to Pownall's ex-partner's home, she realised she'd gone without the key, so called her mum, Karen Tudor.

Ms Tudor offered to bring the key, but before she got there Pownall arrived and became abusive.

When the complainant arrived, she was handed the baby and she asked the defendant to leave.

But he punched her to the side of the head and caused a cut over her eye.

The court heard the following day, Pownall assaulted an emergency worker - for which he received and served a custodial sentence.

In a victim statement Ms Tudor said the offence left her constantly living on her nerves and had caused a divide in her family.

Oliver King, defending, said: "He accepts he overreacted when he saw his daughter - he finds himself in difficult situations and his first reaction is to lash out.

"But there is cause for optimism. He hasn't been in trouble since this offence.

"His employer wants to keep him and will accommodate his working fewer hours so he can do any unpaid work or rehabilitation."

Judge David Hale told the defendant: "There was absolutely no need to rush in and assault this woman - particularly when she was holding your baby at the time.

"I don't know if you're ashamed of what you have done, but you should be.

"It is typical of you to lash out without thinking."

The Judge handed down a 46 week term of imprisonment, but suspended it for two years.

He ordered the defendant to pay £400 compensation, and a victim surcharge of £149.

Pownall must also undertake 25 sessions on a required programme and complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

The Judge warned him: "Any more offences punishable by imprisonment and you go down.

"This is your one chance. It's more than you gave Ms Tudor."

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