A MAN who told his ex-girlfriend "you deserve this" as he strangled and beat her has been spared immediate jail time. 

Charles Dale, of Birchfield Crescent, Aston, Deeside, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday (March 15) for sentencing after previously admitting actual bodily harm. 

Dale, aged 27, had previously denied the offence - but on the first day of his trial on February 6 he changed his plea to guilty. 

In August, 2021 Dale was in a relationship with Hayley Stanley - with the pair having been together for two years. 

Elen Owen, prosecuting, said that on August 8, 2021, Dale and Miss Stanley had been drinking at a friend's property to celebrate her birthday. 

The "tone" of the atmosphere at the party changed when a former acquaintance of Dale's was brought up. 

Dale and Miss Stanley then walked back to her home in Shotton. Once back at the property, an argument started and "fuelled by alcohol and anger" it turned violent - perpetrated by Dale on Miss Stanley. 

Dale then took Miss Stanley's phone and said he would return it once all his belongings were out of the house. 

At this point, Dale strangled Miss Stanley before taking some of his belongings and beginning to load his vehicle up. 

As he did so he still had Miss Stanley's phone. Miss Stanley then tried to force Dale's hand to return the phone by going to his Xbox console. Dale then returned and strangled her again, whilst punching her repeatedly. 

Miss Stanley managed to flee out of the front door of the property but only got as far as her car on the drive before Dale grabbed her. 

He attempted to drag her back into the house and Miss Stanley fell to the floor. Dale continued to drag her along the floor, the court heard.

Once back inside Dale refused to let Miss Stanley leave and went to collect the rest of his belongings. Miss Stanley said she was "petrified" and again left via the front door. 

Dale again attempted to drag her back into the house, saying "this is what you deserve". 

A neighbour, by the name of David Buckley, heard the commotion and looked out of the window. He saw Dale appearing to punch something before closing the door of the property. A short time later Miss Stanley came running out of the property "hysterical" calling for help - with blood pouring down her face and swelling to her left eye. 

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Mr Buckley called the police and went outside to help, escorting Miss Stanley to safety inside his property. Dale then fled in a van before police officers attended the scene. Inside the property, they observed blood on the carpet. 

Miss Stanley attended hospital where she was found to have "significant swelling" to her left eye, as well as lacerations and bruising on her head, neck, arms and legs. 

Dale was later arrested and searched, and was found in possession of Miss Stanley's phone. He denied assaulting her in police interview and said he was acting in self-defence - a statement he later retracted. 

In a victim impact statement, Miss Stanley said the incident has left her "broken". 

"How somebody who was supposed to love me would make me feel so weak, I have no idea," she said. 

"The way he left me having to face my two beautiful children was so upsetting. It's broken my heart."

Simon Killeen, defending, said the incident was wholly out of character for Dale, and there had been no history of domestic violence in what was previously a "happy" relationship. Mr Killeen added that Dale ultimately accepted his guilt, removing the necessity of a trial and expressed remorse for his actions. 

He said Dale also has a new relationship and a young child, and has been in stable employment. 

Judge Timothy Petts described the attack as "sustained" in which Miss Stanley suffered "nasty" injuries. He said the psychological impact has outlasted the physical damage caused. 

Dale was handed a 16-month prison sentence which is suspended for 18 months. He must pay £1,000 in compensation to Miss Stanley and complete 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He is also subject to a five-year restraining order against Miss Stanley. 

Judge Petts also praised Mr Buckley for his actions during the incident.