Man who kneed ex-partner in head jailed

Chester Crown Court heard Ryan McHugh, 27, inflicted multiple attacks on his ex-partner

A man who kneed his ex-partner in the head and hit her with a whisky glass has been jailed.

Ryan McHugh, of Chester, also punched the woman, dragged her by the hair and hit her in the face with an unopened drinks can.

McHugh, 27, of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to controlling and coercive behaviour, section 20 assault and section 18 assault.

He was sentenced to nearly six years in prison and given a 20-year restraining order at Chester Crown Court.

Victim's bravery

The court heard Cheshire Police went to a house in Chester in February and found the woman with two black eyes and swelling and cuts on her face.

She said that McHugh was also verbally abusive and had threatened to burn down her house.

His victim also said he would check her phone messages, make her delete social media accounts and stop her from seeing friends.

McHugh was arrested and charged and, on 5 July, jailed for 70 months.

Ch Insp Paul Fegan said: "The trauma she went through at the hands of someone who claimed to care for her is shocking.

"I hope McHugh’s lengthy custodial sentence and restraining order will help bring her some closure, especially after her bravery in talking to police about what happened to her."

Chief Insp Fegan said help was also available through the National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.

He added that anyone with concerns about their current or ex-partner could submit a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application through the Clare's Law scheme, which would let police release information held about previous violence or abuse.