AN ABUSIVE boyfriend who grabbed his partner by the throat and threw a TV at her, has been punished with a suspended jail sentence.
Chad Smith launched a ‘nasty’ attack on his long-term girlfriend Jessica Morgan at their Teignmouth flat last month.
Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court heard on Friday how Ms Morgan feared she was going to die during the ‘vicious’ assault.
Magistrates warned the 26-year-old he faced a term behind bars for the Bank Street drama.
The bench sentenced him to 36 weeks in prison for the attack and criminal damage but suspended it for 24 months.
The court was told Smith returned home from the pub on January 13 to discover Ms Morgan had locked him out, an act which prompted his outburst.
She let him into the apartment only to have cider poured over her, hair pulled, eyes poked and kicked.
He also threw Ms Morgan onto the bed – breaking it in the process – as well as hurling a television set and mirror at her.
Smith was found guilty by the bench on February 9 but they put off sentencing for an all-option probation report. He was sentenced last Friday (Feb 16).
Prosecutor Chris Bittlestone told the court the offence passed the custodial threshold because it had ‘vicious elements’ and involved weapons.
A probation report revealed Smith felt ‘trapped’ in the relationship and was planning to end it.
Smith felt Ms Morgan had ‘exaggerated the events to punish him.’
Magistrates heard the young chef was ‘anxious’ about custody because he would lose his job as a result.
The bench told Smith: ‘It was a nasty assault on this lady. It was a sustained attack and you used a weapon.’
As well as the suspended sentence Smith was ordered to pay Ms Morgan £250 compensation, £775 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £115.
A restraining order was also imposed banning Smith from having any contact with his former partner for two years. He was also banned from Kingsway in Teignmouth.
Smith was also ordered to complete a Building Better Relationship course.