Graham Potter ignored a restraining order for the fourth time when he was caught meeting a woman at the County Hotel. (Image: Google Street View)
Graham Potter ignored a restraining order for the fourth time when he was caught meeting a woman at the County Hotel. (Image: Google Street View)
A ‘NASTY bully’ who punched his partner in the face has been jailed after ignoring a restraining order for the fourth time when he was found with her at a hotel.
Graham Potter was made the subject of a two-year restraining order by Swansea Crown Court on January 2 last year after he attacked his partner whilst drunk.
The judge labelled Potter a “nasty bully” after hearing that he grabbed the victim – who he was in a long-term on-off relationship with – by the arm and punched her in the mouth, all whilst being verbally abusive.
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Under the terms of the order, Potter was not allowed to contact the victim. However, police received an anonymous call on June 14 that the pair were together at the County Hotel in Haverfordwest, prosecutor Ieuan Rees said.
Police attended, and Potter was arrested at the scene.
Mr Rees said the woman protested to the police, and told officers that she had tried to get the restraining order removed.
Potter, 42, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to breaching the order.
Mr Rees told Swansea Crown Court that Potter had 22 previous convictions, and this was his fourth breach of this restraining order.
“It’s an immediate guilty plea,” said Jon Tarrant, in mitigation.
“The defendant understands the inevitability of his situation.”
Judge Huw Rees said: “This order was designed to protect the complainant, perhaps even from herself.
“Both of you have your own problems with alcohol and a confusing and toxic relationship.
“You knew there was an order in force and again you chose to disobey it.”
Judge Rees said Potter had “an established history of domestic-related violence”.
“Certain spirits and certain alcohol makes you aggressive,” he said.
“Your likelihood of reoffending is high. You have no discipline within yourself to restrain.
“Custody is inevitable in this case.
“This order stays in force.”
Judge Rees jailed Potter for 10 months.