An arrest warrant was issued after a man accused of breaching a suspended sentence imposed for beating up his partner after a laughing gas binge failed to attend court.

George Morgan was spared an immediate jail term in March. Recorder John Hardy QC suspended the 12 month prison sentence for a year, recognising that the defendant had spent several months in prison on remand.

The 33-year-old was due before Oxford Crown Court on Monday morning accused of breaching the terms of the suspended sentence by failing to keep in touch with the probation service.

READ MORE: Man hit partner during alcohol and laughing gas binge

A letter was sent to his last known address telling him of the court date. But when he failed to turn up, Judge Nigel Daly issued a warrant for his arrest.

Morgan’s barrister, Kellie Enever, who represented him at the sentencing hearing in March, told Judge Daly that her instructing solicitors had tried calling the defendant and had left messages – but to no avail.

Two months ago, the court heard how Morgan left his partner bloodied and with a fractured cheekbone during a ‘blur of punching’ at her Henley flat after a laughing gas binge.

READ MORE: Latest cases from Oxford Magistrates' Court

Morgan, formerly of Villa Close, Cholsey, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent but pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of wounding. In a basis of plea, which was not accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service, he claimed he’d acted in excessive self-defence after she allegedly bit him.

Recorder Hardy QC told Morgan: “It’s time to start growing up.”

Read more from this author

This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward