A MAN who grabbed a woman by the throat in the street has been handed a community order.

Benjamin Michael Eastwood, of Erw Wladys in Glyn Ceiriog appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 29-year-old had previously admitted assaulting Victoria Williams by beating her at Fennant Street in Ponciau earlier this year.

Rhian Jackson, prosecuting, told the court that on March 15 Eastwood was seen walking in Ponciau with the complainant - with whom he was in a relationship.

A member of the public driving past became concerned after she saw the defendant push Ms Williams hard with both hands and then grab her throat.

The motorist turned around and offered to take Ms Williams away, which she accepted.

But when she was offered a ride to a police station, she became concerned about the repercussions, saying "he's going to get me for it - this will come back on me."

When the motorist turned around near Chapel Street, Eastwood appeared on a motorbike alongside the passenger window and started shouting at the complainant.

Initially when he admitted the offence, Eastwood did so on the basis that he hadn't grabbed his ex-partner's throat, but at a later hearing this part of the assault was found to have been proved.

Probation officer Andrew Connah told the court: "He does accept it was an unpleasant incident and will accept any sentence given to him.

"He said he could have dealt with things very differently, and that he should have had more sense and walked away.

"There's no chance of him and the victim reconciling - they had been in a relationship for 12 months.

"He feels both parties will be better off without each other."

District Judge Gwyn Jones commended the member of the public who stepped in to help Ms Williams following the assault.

He handed Eastwood a 12 month community order, with a 20 day rehabilitation activity requirement and 150 hours of unpaid work.

The defendant must also pay £300 in costs and a £95 victim surcharge.