Police boss blasts ‘unduly lenient’ sentence for man who broke ex-partner’s collarbone

A police chief has called for a review of an “unduly lenient” sentence of a man who escaped a prison term after breaking his ex-partner’s collarbone.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones took to Twitter to express his concern about the case involving Richard Jones, 37, from Saxon Street in Wrexham.

Mr Jones, a long-standing campaigner against domestic abuse, is urging the Crown Prosecution to seek the permission of the Attorney General to appeal the sentence because it sent out the “wrong message”.

At Caernarfon Crown Court, Judge David Hale made the defendant the subject of a two year community order.

The sentence was imposed after the court heard how Richard Jones broke his former partner’s collarbone after pushing her over in a row over bread and milk.

He had been given £15 to get the items for the family while his partner was out with friends.

But the next morning, when she realised there was nothing in the house, the pair began arguing and the defendant pushed her, initiating a “scuffle”.

Jones, who has three children with the victim – the youngest who was four months at the time – admitted inflicting GBH without intent.

Sentencing Jones, Judge Hale said: “This was clearly a relationship that had many arguments – wholly I suspect shouting matches.

“I’m told you were the one who called the police sometimes.”

He added: “By pushing her, you had caused her a nasty injury and broke her collarbone.

“And because you then left the house when the relationship was over, she’s obviously found it very difficult – not surprisingly with five little children – on her own.”

He said: “You should never have pushed her.”

In his tweet Arfon Jones said: “A non-custodial sentence for grievous bodily harm domestic assault is not good enough and sends out the wrong message. @cpsuk should seek the permission of the Attorney General to appeal the sentence as unduly lenient.”