A MAN from Rhyl who twice assaulted his ex-partner twice, and breached a restraining order on the same date it was imposed on him, has been jailed.

Matthew Ridyard, 26, of John Street, was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment at Caernarfon Crown Court today (August 24).

He had previously pleaded guilty to two counts each of assault by beating and of breaching a restraining order on conviction.

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Prosecuting, Karl Scholz told the court that Ridyard and Abigail Joyce had been in a relationship for nine years, having two children together.

But, he said, “certainly in more recent years”, their relationship had become “characterised by violence”.

On June 26, Ridyard was convicted of assaulting Ms Joyce by beating her, so was handed a two-year restraining order.

This prohibited him from contacting her directly or indirectly for two years, save for making child contact arrangements through a third party.

Ridyard breached the order later that day by sending her texts; the first ended with him saying that he loved her, but further messages were abusive, such as calling her a “f***ing nasty little b******”.

On July 12, Ms Joyce went with a friend to a pub on Wellington Road, but upon entering the premises, saw Ridyard inside.

He immediately began shouting at her, calling her a “f***ing s***”, before throwing stools in the pub; staff later ejected him from the premises.

After Ms Joyce later left the pub, she and her friend waited at a taxi rank, when the two assaults occurred during the early hours of July 13.

Ms Joyce, who had a lighter thrown at her by Ridyard, said he struck her and caused her pain to her left cheek and ribs.

Closed circuit television footage of the incident was shown to the court.

On July 16, Ridyard attended Rhyl Police Station to “hand himself in”, and was subsequently arrested.

When interviewed by officers the following day, he gave no comment.

Defending Ridyard, who had 12 previous convictions for 13 offences, Max Saffman conceded that his client had an “unenviable record”, but added that he is “extremely remorseful”.

Ridyard, who had not previously served a custodial sentence, had found “difficulties” dealing with the breakdown of what was his “first serious proper relationship”.

Mr Saffman said: “He’s done everything he can to try to mitigate his sentence. He’s still a young man, with emotional difficulties.”

Sentencing, Judge Niclas Parry also extended the restraining order already imposed on Ridyard for five years.

Ridyard is also to pay a statutory surcharge.