A FORMER Oswestry man who subjected an ex-partner to a ‘vile attack’ has escaped jail at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Justin Williams, 55 and now of Stafford, attacked his ex at his Oswald Road home on May 31 this year after inviting her around to discuss their failing relationship.

Kevin Jones, prosecuting, told Shrewsbury Crown Court – sitting at Telford Justice Centre – on Friday that Williams pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial.

This came after he had tried to vacate an earlier guilty plea for causing actual bodily harm against his victim in July this year, and told to instruct new solicitors.

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Mr Jones said Williams subjected her to an attack that began with ‘vile language’ before he kicked, punched, slapped and tried to strangle her, as well as trying to put his thumbs in her eyes.

He added the attack last a matter of minutes.

His victim appeared in court to read out an impact statement where she told Recorder Michelle Heeley KC that ‘she felt lucky to be alive’ and that she needed medical attention or her injuries.

In mitigation, Elizabeth Power, for Williams, told the court she was not his trial counsel and had advised him since then.

She said the relationship ‘has been happy at some point’ and as a 55-year-old ‘he knows he has to be punished’.

Ms Power called on Recorder Heely KC to hand down a suspended sentence to her client, saying that it was his first offence of this nature and that he held down a good job.

She added he had moved to Stafford in a new relationship with a woman who ‘polices him and makes sure he doesn’t step out of line’ but he no longer drinks or takes recreational drugs.

Recorder Heely KC, sentencing him, said: “You called her vile names, attacked her and you are a bully.

“I’ve heard the impact of the statement that your actions have had.

“I have to send a message that women cannot put up with that and in your pre-sentence report you still seek to put blame on her and not take responsibility.

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“But I have to balance that with the fact you are in a good job and have taken steps to address your drink and drugs.”

Williams was handed a 21-month sentence, suspended for two years, 20 rehabilitation activity days, 150 hours unpaid work and was given a 10-year restraining order.

He was ordered to also pay £300 in compensation to his victim and £1,360 in prosecution costs.