Rehab course for thug in bottle attack

Judge Michael Challinor decided Keith Griffiths would be best rehabilitated by attending a course on domestic violence rather than be locked up.

Griffiths, aged 23, repeatedly punched his former partner and smashed a large bottle over her head in a drunken rage on November 8 last year - months after being released from a 22-month sentence for his first assault.

He carried out second attack after sneaking into his ex-girlfriend's home in Willenhall in the early hours of the morning, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Miss Blondelle Thompson, prosecuting, told the court Griffiths was under a restraining order prohibiting him from seeing his former partner when he turned up at her house and woke her up by shouting 'I know about him'.

She said Griffiths grabbed his victim's hair and pulled her hard towards him while she lay in bed.

"He had a large vodka bottle in one hand which he put down and repeatedly punched her in the head and face," Miss Thompson told the court.

"She told him she could not breathe, but he picked up the bottle and struck her hard over the back of the head."

The couple's six-year-old daughter ran into the room having been woken by her mother's loud screams, the court heard.

Griffiths' victim was left with bruising around both eyes and a large lump on the back of her head as a result of the attack.

Mr Patrick Currie, defending, said Griffiths had drank three quarters of a bottle of vodka before he visited the house.

"He went to her house with the intention of having a drink with the complainant but when he arrived an immediate argument took place," said Mr Currie.

"He very much regrets his actions. His child's long-term interests are at heart and he has said he does not intent to see her until he can sort himself out."

Judge Challinor told the court Griffiths had been in custody on remand for six months.

He said: "The most effective part of any sentence I could give you has already been served.

"Statistically men who are driven to violence in relationships are better rehabilitated by attending a course than they are by being sent to prison.

"Your victim is best protected if you are made to go on a course."

Griffiths, of Blakenall Lane, Walsall, pleaded guilty to assault and breaching a restraining order.

He was sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison suspended for 18 months. The judge also ordered him to attend a rehabilitation course for violent men.