A WREXHAM man who carried out a violent, alcohol-fuelled attack on his partner as his own children pleaded with him to stop has been spared jail.

Aron Canning, of Windsor Road, New Broughton, punched his victim in the head during a row in the same street before "smashing" her head on a car window – resulting in damage being caused to the vehicle – and repeatedly kicking her while she lay motionless on the floor.

The 33-year-old, who initially denied the attack before pleading guilty last month prior to a trial commencing, was sentenced at Mold Crown Court today (October 15).

The court heard that Canning and the victim, who are no longer together, had drank two bottles of vodka between them when the incident occurred shortly after midnight on February 7 this year.

"Persistent and gratuitous use of violence"

Recorder Duncan Bould described the attack as "a persistent and gratuitous use of violence", stating that Canning would have been handed an immediate custodial sentence had it not been for the fact he is the sole carer of his children with no one else in the family in a position to look after them.

Prosecutor Brian Treadwell told the court that the victim had not provided a statement in support of the prosecution.

However, two eye-witnesses saw the incident and the fact the children were present at the scene.

Mr Treadwell said the defendant had been pushing his then partner and shouting at her before punching her to the head.

Despite the children asking for him not to hit her, Canning grabbed the victim and hit her head against a car and then threw her to the floor.

He repeatedly kicked the victim to the head and body and "she appeared lifeless on the floor", added Mr Treadwell.

Canning was then abusive to passing motorists at the scene before police arrived.

The court heard that the victim lost consciousness as a result of the attack and sustained injuries to her head and body.

According to Mr Treadwell, the defendant sustained an injury to his eye which he stated in police interview was the result of his now ex-partner throwing a bottle at him.

The pair had been in a "deteriorating" relationship for 18 months but had no children together, the court heard.

"He is taking efforts to better himself"

Philip Clemo, defending, told the court that his client acknowledged that it was a "shameful incident" and one that his children had witnessed.

"There is a great deal of shame attached to that", he said. "They witnessed their father acting in such a brutish way".

Mr Clemo said that in times of stress Canning would resort to "a few big sessions of drinking".

He added: "He knows this is a terrible way of coping with stress. He wants to stop it. He has enrolled on a substance misuse course. He needs to learn other ways.

"He is the sole carer for his three children. He is taking efforts to better himself. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. Immediate custody would have an impact on his children."

"Your children pleaded with you not to hit her"

Sentencing Canning, Recorder Bould told him he had "consumed an excessive amount of strong alcohol" and was "oblivious in his drunkenness" that his own children were witnessing the attack.

He added that they had seen their own father "smash a woman's head on a car window" with such force that it broke, before kicking her on the floor when she was unable to help herself.

Recorder Bould said: "She may well have struck the first blow and caused you injury. Thereafter, what followed, was persistent and gratuitous use of violence by you on her.

"Your children pleaded with you not to hit her. They must have been petrified and astonished by what they witnessed.

"God knows what effect you using this level of violence will have on them for years and years to come.

"Your victim has decided not to cooperate with the charge against you, that is unfortunate. Fortunately, others came across what you were doing and you were apprehended and brought before the courts.

"In a public street passers-by saw what you did."

He added: "Sadly, the only person able to care for your children is you. It's not the court's responsibility to make up for your inadequacies.

"My normal judgement is you should go to prison for a significant time if it wasn't for the dramatic effect it would have on your children.

"I have grave misgivings that you being their carer is the best thing for them, but they may disagree.

"This isn't a chance for you, it is a chance for your kids to have their dad."

Canning was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to comply with a programme requirement for 35 sessions, a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days, and an alcohol treatment requirement for six months.

He was also instructed to pay a £156 victim surcharge and compensation of £120 for the damage to the car.