A man avoided jail after threatening his partner with a hammer during a heated argument over infidelity
Jones and his partner had a rocky relationship, and during one fight last April, he slapped her and broke a TV. A few weeks later, when she attempted to leave, he accused her of cheating and threatened her with a hammer. He even hit her in the face, leaving bruises.
His lawyer argued that Jones had been in custody since May 2024, which was like serving a 17-month sentence. He also mentioned that Jones has autism, which makes it hard for him to handle relationships. While he didn’t excuse his actions, he pointed out that Jones was dealing with anxiety and depression too.
The victim’s injuries were minor, but the emotional impact was significant. Jones expressed remorse in court, saying he was sorry and that it wouldn’t happen again. Staff at the prison noted he was polite and had completed several courses while incarcerated.
Despite his past, which included similar violent behavior towards a previous partner, the judge opted for a community order focused on rehabilitation instead of jail time. Jones received a two-year community order and must complete a program to address his behavior. He admitted to charges of wounding, common assault, and criminal damage.
