## Man Jailed After Series of Violent Assaults on Former Partner
A Swansea man has been sentenced following a string of violent incidents against his former partner, culminating in a frightening ordeal where he pinned her down and declared a “hostage situation”, a court has heard. The case, heard at Swansea Crown Court, has shone a light on the devastating toll intimate partner violence can have on victims’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
Ian Price, 44, admitted to three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one count of criminal damage. The court was told how his relationship with the complainant, described as turbulent and fraught with volatility, became increasingly abusive over a two-year period. Emotional statements read in court revealed the deep psychological scars left on the woman, who said she now experienced anxiety, flashbacks, and no longer recognised the person she had become.
The prosecution, led by Harry Dickens, detailed the first incident dating back to July 2023. After a heated exchange at the woman’s home in Swansea, Price seized her by the neck and pushed her into the dishwasher, briefly rendering her unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, the victim was thrown across the floor into a fridge. Despite being told to leave, Price instead jumped on his partner and pinned her down, coldly stating it was a “hostage situation”.
Later medical examinations revealed the woman had suffered a perforated eardrum as a result of the violence. Such injuries are not uncommon among survivors of sustained abuse, who often come forward only after prolonged suffering. The case underscores the hidden nature of domestic violence and the reluctance some victims feel about contacting authorities.
A second, separate attack occurred in November 2024 after an evening out together at a local bar, Noah’s Yard. The prosecution said an argument erupted at home when Price discovered messages on his partner’s phone discussing time spent with another man. Enraged, he began shouting abuse at her, pushed her from a bar stool so forcefully she struck a granite worktop, and then, in a moment of volatility, headbutted the fridge. Threats followed, with Price declaring his partner had “ruined his life” and threatening to burn down her home before continuing to drink.
The following morning saw further aggression. Price, asserting he was “in control”, struck the woman, threatened her with additional violence, and threw a television remote at her. He then forced her to drive him home, during which he ordered her never to contact his family again, cynically remarking she was lucky to have escaped so lightly.
After these series of traumatic events, the incidents were finally reported to police. Price was arrested at his mother’s home and remanded in custody pending trial.
In an emotional victim impact statement read in court, the complainant described losing her sense of self, saying she was “emotionally and physically drained” and haunted by flashbacks. She lamented that her “old life” before meeting Price felt irretrievably lost.
Defence counsel Andrew Evans told the court his client acknowledged the urgent need to address longstanding problems relating to alcohol, drugs, and unresolved childhood trauma. Nevertheless, Recorder Christopher Felstead, presiding, described the partnership as volatile, highlighting Price’s repeated attempts to “assert control” by both physical and emotional means. The judge also noted the defendant’s history, counting nine prior convictions for 18 offences, including violence and public disorder.
The judge imposed a 27-month prison sentence, with Price expected to serve around half that term in custody before release on licence. Additionally, an indefinite restraining order was imposed, prohibiting any future contact with his former partner.
The case serves as a stark warning about the dangers of domestic abuse and the support available for those affected. In Wales, the Live Fear Free helpline offers confidential, round-the-clock support and advice to survivors of abuse and their families. Services such as Refuge also provide guidance, protection and practical assistance nationwide, ensuring victims are not alone in seeking safety and justice.