A MAN from Llandudno who assaulted and strangled a friend of his ex-partner as she tried to intervene during an altercation between them has been spared jail.

Michael Space, 58, of Ewloe Drive, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, at Mold Crown Court today (October 4).

He had previously admitted, after his case had been listed for trial, charges of assault by beating and intentional strangulation.

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Prosecuting, Ryan Rothwell told the court that, on October 9, 2022, Charlotte Jenkins was woken by Space’s “very upset” partner, and found him “irate” and heavily under the influence of alcohol.

Space then used both of his hands to push Ms Jenkins to the chest against a wardrobe.

He then put his arm around her neck before hitting her to the face.

Ms Jenkins helped get Space’s son out of the flat they were in at the time, before police soon arrested the defendant nearby.

Defending Space, who had previous convictions including for a violence-related matter in 2003, Simon Rogers conceded that his “deeply distressing” offences crossed the custody threshold.

But he invited the court to consider suspending his prison sentence, with additional “onerous” requirements.

Mr Rogers said Space “lost complete control”, and behaved in a manner which he now “bitterly regrets”.

He added that no medical attention was sought by Ms Jenkins, whose injuries were “relatively minor”.

“Sadly, it seems, his issues with alcohol and his mental health have consumed him, to such an extent that he was unable to work”, Mr Rogers added.

“His hope is that that is something he is able to address.”

Sentencing, Judge Timothy Petts agreed to suspend Space’s sentence, but issued “quite a package of conditions” for him to adhere to.

Space will abide by a four-month electronically monitored curfew, preventing him from leaving his home between 7pm and 7am every evening.

He is also to complete a six-month alcohol requirement, a “building better relationships” programme, and 15 days of rehabilitation activity requirements.

Judge Petts told Space: “While you do pose a risk, it’s not so great to the public that you can’t be managed in the community.”