A MAN who beat up his partner before attacking her a second time months later after vowing he ‘had changed’ has been spared jail.
Jason Thomson, of Wadard’s Meadow, Witney, was set to stand trial for two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The 37-year old later changed his mind and admitted the two assaults on his then partner on November 25, 2016, and March 12 last year.
Oxford Crown Court heard at his sentencing on Thursday that both times they had become embroiled in a row fuelled by alcohol.
During the first assault the pair got into a blazing row after a night out in Witney and Thomson shoved the woman, causing her to fracture her left wrist.
Despite the argument, the court heard, Thomson told his victim that he was a changed man and the pair reconciled.
But four months later another drunken row ensued and Thomson again pushed the woman, who again fractured her left wrist.
In a victim personal statement the woman said that she had since grown ‘anxious’ and wary of men and had lost both her job and home in the months that followed.
In mitigation, Gordana Turudija-Austin said of her client: “He accepts his responsibility and he has pleaded guilty albeit on the day of trial.
“He always maintained that he never meant any harm to [the woman] but it is accepted by both sides that both were heavily intoxicated on both occasions.”
Sentencing, Judge Roger Chapple said: “Domestic violence is a loathsome phenomenon.
“This seems to have been something of a toxic relationship and it is probably just as well that you are both out of it.”
The judge handed him a community order for 18 months to include participation in the Building Better Relationships programme for 30 days and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days.
Thomson must also pay compensation to his victim of £2,500 as well as court costs of £500.
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