Abuser held knife against partner’s throat and terrorised her

The victim was left terrified of Craig Britton, who has avoided an immediate prison sentence

A man held a knife against his partner’s throat and threatened to do worse next time if she contacted police and he went to prison. Craig Britton has spent time on remand in custody since his arrest but avoided receiving an immediate prison sentence for his actions.

A judge at Swansea Crown Court told him: “I have given you a chance it is up to you whether you take it.”

The court heard that the first incident Britton was before a judge for happened in October. The victim got up to leave the bedroom when the defendant “lashed out” unprovoked. She believed he may have been under the influence of crack cocaine. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here

The 42-year-old pushed his partner into cupboards, leaving her with some bruising and a small cut. During the assault, the victim told Britton she would phone the police to which he responded: “If I ever go to prison because of you I will do my time” and then threatened to do worse the next time.

The defendant then went downstairs to get kitchen knife and brought it into the bedroom. Prosecutor Georgia Donoghue told the court Britton held it at the victim’s throat for “few minutes”. He didn’t say anything and then left the property.

The defendant’s partner was left with a small cut on her chest as a result of the incident. The court heard that she ended the relationship after this.

On another occasion, Britton turned up at his then-ex-partner’s friend’s address while she was there. He asked her to lend him money, which she refused and he then became aggressive. He then stole £350 in cash from her purse.

Both matters were reported to the police and the defendant was asked to attend a police station. Following the incidents, the defendant called the complainant and asked her to drop the charges.

In another incident, Britton turned up at the complainant’s party unannounced. Ms Donoghue told the court they socialised for a few hours before Britton’s behaviour “changed”. Unprovoked, he slapped the woman in the face. He also threatened to smash her phone, television and house up.

Ms Donoghue said the victim was “terrified of the defendant”. She eventually managed to phone the police while in the bathroom and Britton was arrested at her home address.

The court heard Britton was thought to be under the influence of drugs during the assaults.

The defendant denied two offences of battery, two counts of theft, threatening with an article with a blade in a public place and threatening to destroy or damage property when interviewed by police. He later pleaded guilty to the six offences on the first day of trial at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard he has 45 previous convictions, including for drug and driving offences. He also has previous convictions for possession of an offensive weapon in a public place as well as battery. Some of the offences were of domestic violence, Ms Donoghue said.

In mitigation, Ryan Bowen, for Britton, said the defendant had first appeared before the court at 16 years old. He said his upbringing was “marked by violence in the family home” from his father. He was placed into the care system but eventually ran away to live on the streets.

Mr Bowen said his client had struggled with drug addiction since he was 16 and now accepts that this isn’t an adequate coping mechanism. He said the defendant feels his time in custody has “done him a favour” and wants to carry on his sobriety when he leaves prison.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees told Britton his actions were serious, to which the defendant, appearing via video link from HMP Swansea replied: “Yes sir.”

He told the 42-year-old: “I hope [your time in custody] has sobered you up”. Judge Rees said it was “disturbing” to note that some of the defendant’s previous convictions were for domestic violence.

He sentenced Britton, of Glamorgan Farm School, Lane From Burnside To Glamorgan FA+, Neath Port Talbot to 19 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

He will be required to complete 10 days’ rehabilitation activity and drug rehabilitation for 12 months, along with an accredited programme.

Judge Rees told the defendant: “I have given you a chance. It is up to you whether you take it.”

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice