A POWYS man who headbutted his girlfriend, causing her to lose consciousness, will be sentenced at the crown court.

JJ Symonds admitted assaulting Ella Turnball, causing her actual bodily harm, in Builth Wells on March 6 this year. He also admitted a second charge of resisting arrest when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 26.

Due to the serious nature of the assault, magistrates said they were declining to sentence the 22-year-old, of Dan y Bryn, Llangammarch Wells. He will instead be punished by Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court next month.

Prosecutor Stephen Davies said police were called by a witness following the attack, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, March 6, following a night out in the town.

“The victim said they had been walking down from Dazzlars nightclub and were having an argument near the test theory centre," he said. "The defendant kept apologising, he said everything was his fault.

“He was calm, then suddenly he became aggressive, blaming her for the breakdown of their relationship. She said he was putting on a Brummie accent. They argued before the victim was heard to say ‘go on then, hit me’ and then he headbutted her, which caused her to lose consciousness.

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“After she came to, she recognised some people around her and could see that the defendant was walking back to town.”

Mr Davies said she saw Symonds a short time later, when he delivered more abusive comments, before police arrived and he was eventually arrested.

“The initial witness said she had been out in Builth with a friend; she had been driving and as she was walking towards the Strand café, she saw a male towering over a female. Both of them were shouting but his voice was louder,” said Mr Davies.

“She didn’t think it was safe to intervene but she decided to phone the police. She heard a scuffle and then the victim shout ‘go on then, hit me’, but she didn’t see the assault."

Mr Davies said another witness also saw the incident and identified Symonds. Mr Davies said police spoke to him but he became aggressive towards officers.

“PC Rhys Jones approached the defendant, who was walking away, he said he would not be arrested,” said Mr Davies.

“The defendant began to tense up and was resisting, he had to be taken to the floor. He was aggressive and kicked out before being put in the van.”

Mr Davies said Symonds gave a no comment interview, while noting that medical notes indicated the victim had been headbutted and lost consciousness, leaving a lump that was swollen and prominent.

Gareth Walters, representing Symonds, described the case as “borderline” in terms of a possible custodial sentence.

“Mr Symonds has entered early guilty pleas and no doubt you’ll want a pre-sentence report,” he told magistrates.

The bench committed the case to crown court for sentence, with Symonds due to appear in Merthyr on November 9. He was granted unconditional bail until that date.

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