Expectant Powys dad jailed for strangling ex-partner

Lewis Ballington, 25, originally denied three charges against his ex-girlfriend – including intentional strangulation, controlling or coercive behaviour and assault.

He entered a guilty plea to intentional strangulation on the morning of his trial in June, and was sent to prison, ahead of his sentencing at Swansea Crown Court on Monday, July 27.

Regan Walters, prosecuting, said the incident occurred in Ystradgynlais on January 5, 2025, and happened after the victim had turned off the TV when Ballington was playing on his PlayStation console.

“The complainant and defendant met in September 2024 and entered into a relationship,” said Mr Walters.

“It moved quickly and they moved in together in October, but it quickly became toxic.

“By January 5 the relationship had deteriorated significantly. The victim had bought some alcohol that morning, while the defendant was sleeping. She was hopeful they’d spend a nice evening together.

“At 9pm she played some music; he woke up and was furious. He scolded her for waking him.

“He was playing on his PlayStation and she tried to begin a conversation with him about their relationship and the way he’d been treating her.

“He did not engage, he ignored her, then told her to ‘shut the **** up’. He called her crazy and weird and she then turned his TV off, which infuriated him.

“January 5 was the day I thought I was going to die. Nightmares of that day continue to haunt me," said the victim, in court. (Image: PA)

“He threatened to put his dogs in the same room as her cats so they could ‘rip them up’.

“She left and locked herself in another room; she was overwhelmed and began to cry uncontrollably. He said she would be locked up in a mental facility.

“He then lunged at her and grabbed her by the throat. She described how immediate panic coursed through her body, as she gasped for breath, worried for her life.

“He released her and she ran to another room in the house and locked the door.”

The relationship ended a few days later and the defendant was arrested in February. He denied strangling her when interviewed by police officers.

Mr Walters told the court Ballington had received a 10-month prison sentence in February 2023, which was suspended for two years, for wounding and theft, and that this latest offence put him in breach of that sentence.

Lewis Ballington was jailed at Swansea Crown Court for 22 months. (Image: PA)

He added that Ballington admitted the strangulation charge in June, with that plea accepted by the prosecution, with the other charges of controlling or coercive behaviour and assault ordered to lie on file.

Ballington’s ex read out a victim impact statement in court, in which she said: “This experience made me fear for my life.

“January 5 was the day I thought I was going to die. Nightmares of that day continue to haunt me.”

Acting for Ballington, of Min Y Rhos, Ystradgynlais, Christopher Evans said his client did not remember the incident.

“He told probation he is sorry for what he did; this was serious domestic violence in the household,” said Mr Evans.

“He accepts he has a previous conviction for a serious matter.  

“He was bullied at school and was involved with child services as a teen. It had a significant impact on him.

“He has suffered with psychosis and, at the time, he was suffering from this and doesn’t remember the incident.

“He is keen to address his mental health issues. He is still a young man. He is in a new relationship and he and his partner are engaged and expecting a child together.

“He has ambitions to open a shop.”

Judge Huw Rees told Ballington: “There is a lot in your background you’ve experienced, like violence.

“This is even more reason why you should not have become a perpetrator of serious violence, especially in a domestic context.

“You are deemed to pose a risk to any partner, including your current partner.”

Ballington’s new partner broke down in court as Judge Rees jailed him for a total of 22 months – 18 months for the recent offence, with four months of the suspended sentence order activated and to be served consecutively.

The judge also imposed a 10-year restraining order.