Anthony Foley has a history of assaulting partners and former partners
A man punched his partner in the face and "jabbed" her with a kitchen knife after accusing her of hiding something from him. Anthony Foley then threatened to "gut" family members, and told a friend of the woman who tried to intervene that he would "stick" him if he didn't go away.
A judge described the 44-year-old's behaviour as "appalling, violent, and brutal" and noted he has a history of assaulting partners or former partners. In a statement read to the court Foley's victim said the assault precipitated a mental breakdown, and said whenever she closes her eyes she can her her attacker screaming at her like he did on the night in question.
Emily Jermin, prosecuting, told Merthyr Crown Court that the incident happened in the early hours of morning of June 27 this year, and began with Foley becoming angry after his partner did not want sex with him. The court heard the defendant started pushing the woman before snatching her phone and accusing her of hiding something. Foley then began to "scuffle" with the woman as she tried to get her phone back.
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The court heard the defendant left the Aberdare house but returned at around 3am and marched straight into the living room to confront his partner who was sat talking to a friend who had attended the property to check she was okay. Foley punched his partner in the face "with considerable force" before going to the kitchen and arming himself with knife. The defendant returned to the living room, grabbed his victim by the shoulder and "jabbed" her in the arm making a number of small puncture wounds. He also made threats to "gut" family members. When the victim's friend told Foley to calm down the defendant grabbed him and said: "If you don't keep away, I will stick you". Foley then used the knife to stab the sofa.
Miss Jermin said the defendant's friend advised her to leave the house as it was not safe to remain there, and she went upstairs to pack some belongings. Foley followed the woman to the bedroom with the knife but then left the house, damaging the banister and kicking the back door as he did so.
The court heard police had by now been called, and officers arrived a short time after Foley had left the property. The defendant was subsequently arrested and in interview said he had been acting in self defence during the first incident, then denied punching his partner and using a knife, and denied issuing any threats. He accepted taking his partner's phone but said he could not remember what he had done with it though he did say he had been walking near a canal after leaving the property.
In an impact statement that was read to the court by the prosecutor, Foley's now ex-partner said the incident had precipitated a mental breakdown which had seen her go missing from home for two days. She said she struggles to sleep, and said whenever she closes her eyes she hears the defendant screaming at her like he did on the night in question. The woman said she used to be a sociable person but all that has now changed, and she said she is unsure whether she or her family will ever get over what happened.
Anthony Foley, of Brook Street, Aberaman, Aberdare, had previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) – the punch and the use of the knife are encompassed in this offence – two counts of common assault, making threats with a bladed article in a private place, theft, and criminal damage when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has 17 previous convictions for 32 offences including a common assault on a partner and an ABH on an ex-partner as well as affray, thefts, criminal damage, and burglary.
Abigail Jackson, for Foley, said at the time of the offending the defendant was drinking alcohol and taking crack cocaine on a daily basis but was now working with drug agencies. She said while being held on remand Foley had been working in the prison laundry, and she said there was a reference from his former employer before the court that "speaks of a very different person". The barrister added that Foley wished to apologise to his former partner.
The Recorder of Cardiff Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke described Foley's behaviour on the night in question as "appalling, violent, and brutal", and she noted it was not the first time he had assaulted a partner or former partner. With a one-quarter discount for his guilty pleas Foley was sentenced to a total of three years and four months in prison. He will serve up to half that period in custody before being released on licence to serve the remainder in the community.
If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales or go to gov.wales/live-fear-free
Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women’s Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs.
The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999.
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