A Swindon man has narrowly avoided going to prison after abusing his ex-girlfriend.
Liam Davis assaulted the woman while visiting her home, sent her threatening and abusive messages and breached a non-molestation order three times.
Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard that the 22-year-old, of Beech Avenue in Pinehurst, carried out the string of five crimes between March 2024 and January 2025.
In an assault on 9 March 2024, the defendant violently attacked his ex-girlfriend in her own home – having only attended to see his child.
The following day, he proceeded to send the woman messaged which caused her distress. The content related to threatening further physical abuse and included derogatory remarks.
A non-molestation order was granted by a court on 26 March 2024, as the victim attempted to stop contact with Davis. However, he didn’t stop there.
With complete disregard for the order, the defendant – on three occasions – breached it. On 5 September 2024, he harassed the woman at the West Swindon District Centre fuel station.
A few weeks later, on 30 September, he attended an address where he believed her to be residing. On 4 January this year, he drove along her street.
Davis pleaded guilty to all offences, save for assault by beating – for which he was found guilty at trial.
On 16 July, District Judge Joanna Dickens sentenced him to 12 weeks imprisonment suspended for 18 months – citing that his crimes are “so serious that only a custodial sentence can be justified”.
She added that Davis has “a flagrant disregard for people and their property”, ordering him to complete a 30-day course relating to domestic abuse.
The defendant was told to complete 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, and a restraining order prohibiting contact and access to the victim’s street was put in place for two years.
