A MAN branded "a genuine, serious risk to women" has been locked up for more than four years.
Matthew Mills, of Argoed in Brymbo appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence
The 30-year-old had previously admitted a raft of offences including:
- Breach of domestic abuse protection order (DAPO) x 2
- Assault
- Intentional strangulation
- Failing to comply with requirements of registration as a sex offender x 2
William Griffin, prosecuting, told the court that the first offence took place on December 4, 2022 and saw him strangle his then-partner Emily Griffiths.
Ms Griffiths had been on a Christmas night out and returned home "later than had been agreed."
Mills shouted at her and became aggressive.
Despite her attempts to de-escalate the situation, the defendant grabbed her around throat and squeezed, strangling her for approximately 60 seconds.
She managed to free herself, but Mills did it again a short time later.
The relationship ended the next day, Mr Griffin said.
Moving on to the next set of offences, he explained Mills had been convicted in 2020 of committing a sexual act with a child under 16, for which he had to register as a sex offender until 2030.
Matthew Mills (Image: North Wales Police)
He breached the terms of the registration requirements twice in 2025.
Mills then breached a DAPO which had been made to protect his former partner, Kayley Davies.
On January 2 this year, he and Ms Davies had been arguing and during a confrontation, he threatened to punch her before pushing her to the shoulder, causing her to spin into a countertop.
He also grabbed and pulled her fingers back as she tried to use a doorhandle, causing her pain.
The final breach of the DAPO saw him contacting Ms Davies, which he was prohibited from doing, on January 6.
Ms Davies was at a McDonald's in Flintshire when he rang her, telling her he loved her.
He called her again a short time later, despite her telling him she was cutting contact with him.
Mr Griffin told the court the defendant had 20 previous convictions for 52 offences.
Philip Tully, defending, told the court: "He's fully aware of the position he now finds himself in.
"Mr Mills accepts that breaching any court order is serious.
"At the time of the commission of these offences he was going through a very difficult time in his life.
"Regarding the breach of the DAPO that involved him meeting - by consent - his ex-partner Kayley Davies, he accepts the common assault would have been highly unpleasant."
Mr Tully said his client recognised that his strangulation of Ms Griffiths would similarly have been "highly unpleasant" for the victim.
"He accepts that at the time, this was a volatile relationship," he said.
"He is determined to turn his life around and stop offending.
"During the time he's been on remand, he has completed an anger management course, healthier choices course, a mental health wellbeing course and a communication skills course.
"He also has a trusted job as a cleaner on the wing.
"He wants to go back to his business as a car mechanic and buying and selling cars."
Mr Tully said his client accepted that what he did was wrong and he deserves to be punished."
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Judge Simon Mills told the defendant: "You've embarked on a life path which is leaving, frankly, a trail of misery, distress, fear and all the rest that goes with it.
"You're proving yourself to be a genuine, serious risk to women.
"If you harm a woman in the future, I promise you any of the Judges here in north Wales will consider treating you as a dangerous offender and that may lead to a lengthy extended sentence."
The Judge jailed him for a total of 50 months and imposed a seven year DAPO for the protection of Ms Griffiths.
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