Express & Star

Aldridge man jailed after attacking ex-partner and bombarding her with texts and calls

A father has been jailed for 10 months after attacking his former partner and bombarding her with scores of nuisance calls and messages.

Published
Wolverhampton Crown Court

Ryan Wheeler left his ex with a split lip after repeatedly punching her, just 16 days after she had given birth to their child.

He then sent more than 100 text messages and left her scores of missed calls in just eight days – including threats to share intimate images.

Mr Howard Searle, prosecuting, said the couple had been in a relationship for around a year and the victim had recently given birth to their child but they were no longer together.

On July 15, the victim agreed to meet Wheeler, aged 31, so he could see the baby.

But when he arrived Wheeler appeared to be under the influence of drink and drugs, Mr Searle told Wolverhampton Crown Court. The pair were in the victim’s car when Wheeler, of Myatt Avenue, Aldridge, snapped and started shouting at her.

Mr Searle said: “He started punching her repeatedly to the face and head.

“Then he grabbed her by the throat – forcing her to struggle for breath.”

Wheeler left her with a split lip. Then from August 22 to 30 he breached a non-molestation order by repeatedly contacting her.

He left nearly 200 missed calls and 167 texts on the victim’s phone between August 22 and 25. Then he threatened to upload intimate photos of her to social media.

Mr Searle said the victim has been left traumatised, adding: “Their daughter was just 16 days old at the time of the assault. She has made a decision to relocate as she didn’t feel safe in her own home.”

Mr Babir Adris, defending, said the relationship ‘was toxic’ and had turned ‘sour’.

He said: “A lot of the text conversation was instigated by her and not helped by her responding to him. But the messages were getting more vile from his part and he accepts that.”

Wheeler admitted two counts of breaching a non-molestation order in front of Wolverhampton magistrates last month.

He had denied assault but was found guilty after a trial.

Recorder Paul Bleasdale QC jailed him for a total of 10 months.

He said: “This was a sustained attack carried and you caused her some very unpleasant injuries.

“She had recently had a caesarean operation which you would have well known about – and you were in breach of a non-molestation order.”

Wheeler was jailed for four months for the assault, six months consecutive for one breach of the non-molestation order, and two months concurrent for a second breach of the order.