‘Serial abuser of women’ throttled ex-partner until she could not breathe – Wales Online
A “serial abuser of women” has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for repeatedly breaching a restraining order meant to protect his ex-partner. Joshua Jones, referred to as a serial abuser, was found guilty of throttling his ex-partner to the point where she could not breathe. The victim revealed that the trauma has left her unable to wear tight clothes around her neck and unable to trust any man.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Jones, aged 23, had 21 previous offenses related to former partners. The court learned that despite a restraining order, Jones resumed contact with his ex-partner in 2024 after his family convinced her that he had changed. In March of the same year, Jones physically assaulted his ex-partner at her home in Townhill, Swansea, grabbing her, throwing her to the floor, and strangling her until she couldn’t breathe.
Following the attack, Jones continued to harass his ex-partner with threatening messages and derogatory language. Police were alerted to the situation, leading to Jones’s arrest in August. In court, the prosecution highlighted the significant psychological impact of Jones’s actions on the victim, who now struggles with anxiety, depression, and a lack of trust in men.
During the sentencing, the court heard about Jones’s troubled upbringing, marked by parental drug addiction, leading to his struggles with mental health issues and substance abuse. The judge acknowledged Jones’s difficult background but emphasized his pattern of violence towards women, describing him as a “serial abuser”.
Despite pleas for leniency based on his troubled past, Jones was sentenced to a total of 30 months in prison. The judge warned Jones to make a choice between reforming his behaviour or facing longer prison sentences in the future. Jones will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on license, with a 10-year restraining order prohibiting contact with his ex-partner.
The case sheds light on the devastating impact of domestic abuse, prompting organisations like Live Fear Free and Refuge to offer support to victims of abuse in Wales. These helplines provide essential services to those affected by domestic violence or sexual abuse, offering advice, support, and a safe space to seek help.