A KNIGHTON man “ruined” his ex-girlfriend’s Christmas after he turned up at her house when he found out her new boyfriend was staying with her.

Darren Lewis forced his way into his ex's Laurels Meadow home on Christmas Day last year and assaulted her, following a day out drinking in the town with his friends.

Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court heard this week the 49-year-old had been told about his former flame’s new relationship and that he was spending Christmas with her.

The court also heard that Lewis went to the house after someone had told him her new partner had made comments about him in another Knighton pub on the day.

Lewis, of Church Street, Knighton, admitted assault when he appeared at court on Wednesday, April 26.

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Prosecutor Sian Vaughan said: “The relationship had broken down and the victim had resumed a relationship with a new partner.

“On Christmas Day she received a text from the defendant asking to come and see Dexter the dog.

“He showed up, uninvited, and forced his way into the property, grabbing her and pushing her backwards and then he landed on top of her.

“Unpleasantries were exchanged. He was aggrieved her new partner was there.

“Admissions of sort were made in interview. He said he had gone there and had pushed her back after she’d pushed him.”

Reading from a victim impact statement, Ms Vaughan said: “I was left very stressed after the incident, it left me feeling ill. He ruined my Christmas and Darren scares me.”  

She said the victim had applied for a restraining order.

Acting for farm worker Lewis, Matthew Davies said his client admitted the incident was “ill-thought out”.

“He was out on Christmas Day with friends and a friend told him his ex’s new partner was making comments about him in another pub in Knighton.

“He decided to go there. He knocked on the window. The incident involved him pushing her back after she pushed him; she then pushed him a second time, he caught his foot on the door lip, fell and grabbed something to stop himself falling and unfortunately it was her he grabbed.

“He knows his actions were completely unacceptable and he is remorseful for his actions.”County Times:

Lewis was ordered to pay a total financial penalty of more than £1,000 – this includes a £750 fine, a £300 surcharge and £85 costs.

Magistrates ordered no compensation to be paid as there were no injuries. They said they were more focused on protection and, to that end, they hit Lewis with two restraining orders. He must not approach or communicate with either, and he is not allowed to enter any data on social media referring to either of them.

He must also not enter or go within 100 metres of the victim's address. Both orders will last for 12 months