Keiran Pridmore subjected his partner to a series of assaults during their relationship
A man beat up his partner after she interrupted his computer gaming session, a court has heard. The assault was one of a number carried out by Keiran Pridmore on his then-girlfriend during their relationship, including one which left his victim on crutches.
The defendant’s barrister described his 29-year-old client as an “aimless young man” who had never had a “meaningful” job. Pridmore denied the abuse but was found guilty at trial – though he still maintained he was innocent.
Caitlin Brazel, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court that Pridmore and the complainant met in 2023 and began a relationship with the defendant then moving in with his new partner at her address in Swansea.
The court heard details of a series of assaults carried out by Pridmore, starting with one in July, 2023, when an argument started after the victim “interrupted” the defendant’s video-game playing session.
The argument then turned physical with Pridmore pushing his partner to the ground, slapping her across the face, and kicking her to the legs.
The court heard details of further assaults carried out by Pridmore, including the defendant pushing his partner into a wall and a radiator, pushing her onto a bed and pressing his knee into her forehead, and pulling her down garden steps.
The garden assault caused a twisted ankle and the defendant initially refused to let his girlfriend attend hospital but as the injured ankle continued to swell he agreed to let her seek medical advice, though he instructed her not to mention him and to tell nurses she had fallen and injured herself.
The complainant needed to use crutches for four weeks following the assault.
The prosecutor said there were also occasions during the relationship when Pridmore became aggressive during arguments and took his temper out on objects, including an occasion in February, 2024, when he punched a hole in a door. For the latest court stories sign up to our crime newsletter
The court heard the abuse was reported to police in April, 2024, after Pridmore had thrown his partner to the floor during an argument and then grabbed her by the hair.
The woman managed to flee to a neighbour’s house and the police were called. The court heard Pridmore had left the property by the time officers arrived, and arrest inquiries began. A week later the defendant was located and arrested.
In his subsequent interview Pridmore gave police a prepared statement in which he denied the allegations. The defendant maintained his innocence to trial but was convicted by a jury in October last year.
In a statement read to the court by the prosecution barrister, the victim said her mental health had suffered “massively” as a result of Pridmore’s behaviour. She said she had lost contact with her friends during the relationship and was now trying to re-establish those connections.
Keiran Pridmore, of Terrace Road, Mount Pleasant, Swansea, had previously been convicted at trial of engaging in controlling behaviour, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of criminal damage when he returned to the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions.
Hywel Davies, for Pridmore, said it was clear from the contents of the pre-sentence report that the defendant maintained his innocence but he said his client must accept he inflicted violence on his then partner and said “he accepts his role in the breakdown of the relationship” and understood the work he needed to do around dealing with the end of relationships.
The barrister described Pridmore as an “aimless young man” who has never had “meaningful employment”, but he said there was the possibility of a job for him at a pub in Swansea.
Judge Huw Rees told Pridmore that he well deserved custody for his behaviour towards his then-partner, and said the court could not be criticised if such a sentence were passed.
The judge said he was prepared to give the defendant a chance and told him he must never behave in a similar way again, and told him he had caused his family a great deal of distress.
Pridmore was sentenced to 24 months in prison suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and to do 180 hours of unpaid work in the community.
The defendant was also made subject to a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim.
