A woman was left injured after her ex-partner swung his bike at her after he showed up at her house to return items following their break-up.

Neil Ahearn, 48, was convicted of assault by beating his ex in Newtown on September 14 following a trial in court.

Ahearn claimed that he picked up the bike to leave the property and avoid any confrontation, and that he did not intend to use it as a weapon or harm her.

Following a trial, magistrates found that Ahearn used the bike, after they returned from a day out in Cardiff.

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The Treowen man was handed an 18-month community order and ordered to stay away from his ex-partner for the same period. He must also pay almost £1,000 to the court.

Prosecutor Helen Tench told Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday that officers noted that the victim was visibly upset with a graze to her left arm when they arrived at the scene which was reported to police at 10.30pm.

Ahearn had turned up at his ex's to return her belongings when he knew she was not at home to avoid seeing her after their break-up a month earlier.

But when he saw that she was at home, an argument escalated after he asked for his T-shirt back, which she said wasn't at her house.

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Ahearn then picked up his bike and swung it towards his former partner's legs before throwing a glass bottle of cider at her which she had to duck to avoid being hit.

Ahearn cycled off and threatened that he would return.

The victim's friend told police that Ahearn tried to punch the victim, narrowly missing her face.

The other witness said she heard Ahearn saying "I'm going to smash your face" and "I'm going to f***ing have you".

The victim was left with injuries to her arm and leg including scratches, bruising and swelling.

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In a statement read out in court by the prosecutor, she said she had nightmares for two weeks where she visualised her ex's aggressive and threatening behaviour.

Gurleen Kaur, mitigating on behalf of Ahearn, said the Newtown man claimed he intended to throw his ex's items over a balcony and then went to pick up his bike to go away.

"This was the last parting point in their relationship," she told the court.

"It was an unfortunate incident fuelled by emotions from the break-up.

"It was a one-off incident, and the defendant intends to have no further contact with her.

"He does not believe a restraining order is proportionate or necessary."

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The court heard that a pre-sentence report stated that the assault was a "one-off" since his last related conviction for battery in 2018.

Ms Kaur said: "He has changed his life around in these six years. He wants to be a changed man for his daughter.

"He has kept a stable line of employment where he works long hours."

Ahearn, of Ithon, Treowen, Newtown, was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work, 10 rehabilitation requirement days and 35 programme sessions.

He must also pay a total of £964 which includes £200 compensation to Ms Hughes and £650 trial costs.