A MAN with a history of domestic violence-related offending has been jailed for more than three years after subjecting his ex-partner to a campaign of terror, which culminated in an incident in which he threw her dog at a window.

Rhys Burgess strangled his victim so hard during one incident in August this year that she nearly lost consciousness.

During another incident in September, in which 30-year-old Burgess went to her Brecon home “in a rage”, he assaulted her terminally ill father and threw her pet dog Roxy against a window.

Burgess, of Coryton Close, Brecon, previously admitted six charges in total – including two counts of assault between August 1 and 31 last year and August 6 and 22 this year; intentionally strangling his victim on September 2 this year; assaulting Terrence Morgan on the same date, causing him actual bodily harm; causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and criminal damage.

Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (October 28) the defendant had been in a relationship with Natasha Morgan for two years.

“It was initially positive but turned toxic,” said Ms Donohue.

“Terrence Morgan is Natasha Morgan’s father and he lives with her. He is 70, has terminal lung cancer and is frail.

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“The defendant moved into her property in August of 2021, which is when the relationship turned violent.”

Ms Donohue said Burgess first assaulted Ms Morgan in August 2021, punching her to the face and strangling her.

During an incident in August this year, Burgess assaulted her.

“At the end of the evening he asked her if he could stay the night, but she said he must leave and this angered him,” said Ms Donohue.

“He strangled her and she nearly lost consciousness. He accused her of cheating with her friend; Ms Morgan said he headbutted her and threatened to kill her, her dad and her dog.”

A further assault occurred at the Brecon Jazz festival the same month when Burgess headbutted Ms Morgan outside the Bank pub following an argument and later followed her home, assaulting her in the garden.

The most recent incidents occurred on September 2, with Burgess triggered by a text message he received from Ms Morgan after he had been abusive to her over text following a night out.

“He turned up at her property in a highly agitated state,” said Ms Donohue.

“He was shouting and began causing damage, he pushed her across the kitchen; her father attempted to intervene but the defendant pushed Terry Morgan, causing him to fall and hit his head; he was bleeding heavily from the head.

“He then went into the garden and smashed up an outhouse. Ms Morgan attempted to call 999 while the defendant disarmed Terry Morgan who had picked up a chopping board.

“He then picked up her dog, Roxy, and threw it at full force at the window. He kicked the bathroom door, making a hole, then grabbed Ms Morgan by the throat and strangled her until she felt faint.

“He only stopped when Terry Morgan intervened, hitting him with a metal pole. He threw her mobile across the road then ripped out the phone line and internet as he left, causing damage to a wing mirror on her car.”

Acting for the father-of-two, Nick Strobl said his client knows there is “something wrong with him”.

“There is very little that can be said in mitigation," he said. "He is aware his actions that night were a disgrace.

“He works hard and is respected at work, but there is clearly an issue about him in relationships. He told me today he knows there is something wrong with him and he has already taken action to address this while in custody so when he is released he can become a better person.”

Of the September 2 incident, Mr Strobl said: “He went to the property in a rage and damaged as much as he could. The dog was shocked but fine after the incident and no injuries were caused.”

Recorder David Harris said Burgess had previously received a suspended jail sentence for assault and harassment and breaching a restraining order, both in 2013; another suspended sentence in 2018 for criminal damage and threatening behaviour; and he served 12 weeks in prison for assaulting an ex-partner in 2019.

He told Burgess: “The pre-sentence report says there are a number of concerns. It says you need to feel in control and exertion of authority over others bolsters your self-esteem.

“It says you will use strangulation as a way to punish and regain control. The risk you pose to partners has escalated and the commission of these offences is your most grave to date.”

Burgess was jailed for three years for the September 2 strangulation of Ms Morgan. Consecutive sentences of three months and two months will be served for the August 2021 and August 2022 assaults.

An additional 18 months in prison was handed down for the assault on Mr Morgan, with nine weeks added for the animal cruelty charge and six weeks for the criminal damage – these latter three sentences will be served concurrently.

A restraining order, banning him from contacting Ms Morgan or her father, was put in place to last for five years.