A man has been jailed after he strangled and headbutted his ex-partner.
Karl Roberts, 50, appeared at Hereford Crown Court on Thursday (April 30), to be sentenced for intentional strangulation and assault, thereby causing actual bodily harm.
Roberts, of no fixed abode, appeared via video link from HMP Hewell, near Redditch.
The court heard how the victim, who had been in a relationship with Roberts for 15 years, had been at the pub in the early hours of March 9 when she received a message from her estranged partner, which she replied to by telling him he needed to be out by the time she got home.
When she returned to her home in Worcester at around 1.30am, Roberts was asleep on the sofa, and she began packing his clothes.
The court heard that when Roberts woke up, he lunged at the victim, grabbing her by the throat and headbutting her in the face. After letting go, Roberts grabbed her by the throat and headbutted her again, at which point the victim “felt her nose pop”.
Once the victim got away from Roberts, she called the police, while the 50-year-old went outside, the court heard.
It was heard that when officers arrived, Roberts used foul and abusive language towards his ex-partner, and said: “At the end of the day, she needs to die.”
Roberts’ ex-partner was left with multiple physical injuries as a result of her ordeal.
The court heard that while medical staff found that the headbutts had not broken her nose, she did suffer bruising and swelling to her nose and neck.
In a victim impact statement, she said: “Due to these injuries, I was off work and did not want to go back because of the embarrassment.
“I did not sleep for four days. I am always looking over my shoulder. I am a complete trainwreck.”
The court heard that Roberts had already been convicted five times of eight offences, including two assaults against his partner in 2018 and 2022.
Sentencing, Judge Martin Jackson said: “When she told you to leave, your response was to grab her by the throat and headbutt her.
“This was an offence that has had a significant impact upon her.
“There is a disturbing pattern of violence against other people.”
Roberts was sentenced to 26 months in prison for the strangulation and 14 months for the assault, to be served concurrently.
He was also handed a 10-year restraining order, which prevents him from contacting his ex-partner, or risk facing up to five years in prison.
