A MAN accused of insulting his former partner then grabbing her throat and squeezing it so she struggled to breathe has been jailed today (June 20).

Martin Bellew, 52, of Colwyn Avenue, Rhos-on-Sea, had been found guilty in his absence of common assault on Sharna Nolasco and damaging her mobile phone.

He admitted failing to appear in court at Llandudno on May 30.

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District judge Gwyn Jones at Llandudno court said the victim hadn’t known what Bellew intended to do when he grabbed her in Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, last January.

He imposed jail terms totalling six months and a five-year restraining order.

Bellew faces another trial before magistrates in August after denying assault causing actual bodily harm on Miss Nolasco.

Defence solicitor Graham Parry said it was a “tempestuous” relationship.

The victim had been with Bellew’s brother at the time of the common assault and there were no injuries.