By Philip Dewey
Copyright walesonline
A jealous thug pulled clumps of hair out of his partner’s head when she attempted to end their relationship and strangled her when she refused to have sex with him. He had also kicked her in the thigh and left her with a nasty bruise. Leighton Gronow, 43, assaulted his partner at her home in Cardiff in December 2023 after an argument began and she ignored him in an attempt to let the argument peter out. But he responded by shouting at her and kicked her in her left thigh causing her significant bruising. A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court heard the victim wanted to go to a friend’s house on May 18 last year but this set the defendant off in a rage and he became aggressive. F or the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter . The victim went to put on some make-up and Gronow questioned her why she needed make-up on if she was just going to see a friend. He pulled her down onto the bed and attempted to initiate sex but the victim struggled back up. The defendant then placed his hand around her neck but the victim told him to stop because her children were upstairs. The assault left bruises to her neck. The final assault took place on June 19 last year when the victim attempted to leave Gronow after she discovered he had been speaking to a former partner. He then used both hands to pull at her hair and lifted her off the bed before pushing her against a bedroom wall. The force he used caused a chunk of the victim’s hair to be ripped out of her scalp and she was left with a bald patch. Gronow, of Broughton Place, Barry , later pleaded guilty to intentional suffocation and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The court heard he has 10 previous convictions for offences including threats to kill and motoring offences. In a victim personal statement read to the court the victim said: “The incidents have taken a massive toll on my life and my mental health has been severely affected. “I have a recurring bad dream involving Leighton which wakes me up and I find I can’t go back to sleep. I am now on medication to help me sleep and I’m on antidepressants to help with how I’m feeling. “I am looking over my shoulder he might send someone on me or go after my children. I’ve had cameras fitted over my property as I’m worried for my safety and I am now in the process of moving property over what Leighton has put me through. “I don’t feel safe in my own home and only feel safe when people are here with me. I have to fall asleep with the TV on in the background because if I hear noises I’m worried something will happen to me.” In mitigation Kirsten Murphy said her client has moved to a different area and has no desire to see the victim again. She said the defendant has four children who he financially supports. The court was also told Gronow has sporting achievements in rugby and boxing, particularly in the Ely community. Judge Eugene Egan sentenced Gronow to six months imprisonment. He remains subject to a restraining order indefinitely. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse visit the Live Fear Free website or call the helpline on 0808 80 10 800. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice .
