A POWYS man has been hit with a two-year restraining order after he punched his former partner and told another person “I’ll rip your tonsils out”.

Alexander Turner admitted a charge of assault from August 29 last year, and a second charge of threatening behaviour on the same day.

At Welshpool Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 8, Turner, 36, was handed a two-year community order, which includes being fitted with an alcohol abstinence monitoring tag for four months, in addition to the restraining order.

Turner had pleaded guilty to both offences – which took place in the village of Bwlch-y-ddar, near Llanfechain – at a previous hearing.

Prosecutor Helen Tench said the offences had related to a domestic assault.

Paul Inns, acting for Turner, of Penyddalfa Fach, Llangedwyn, said the incident had come to the boil following an argument the previous day.

“There had been issues the previous day, there was an argument. It continued into this day,” said Mr Inns.

“He returned home, had a drink, and can’t recollect exactly as it happened quickly, but he accepts that in the heat of the moment he did punch the complainant. Her injuries were relatively minor but he accepts he could and should have dealt with the situation differently.”

Mr Inns said Turner had some previous convictions, but these were of some antiquity.

Susan Usmar, chair of the bench, told Turner: “This was an extremely serious matter. This behaviour cannot be tolerated.”

They ordered the two-year community order to include 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and the alcohol abstinence monitoring for 120 days – the maximum period allowed. Turner must pay his ex partner £100 compensation, while he owes the court £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.

Magistrates said they felt the two-year restraining order was necessary; the order means Turner cannot contact the victim except via a third party for family matters. He must also not go within 100 metres of her address or enter data on social media referring to her.