A violent Swindon man repeatedly “smashed” his partner’s head into a parked car outside their home.

Kaz Knight, of Eley Close in Toothill, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court on Monday after pleading guilty at a previous hearing to causing actual bodily harm to a woman in Swindon on September 3, 2024.

The court heard that a comment made by the victim - “No-one likes you, they all use you, they just tolerate you” – sent the 43-year-old defendant into a rage.

Tom Power, prosecuting, said: “The defendant started throwing items around the house, narrowly missing her.

"She went to exit the property and he followed her, grabbed her by the head, and smashed her head into a car that was parked outside.

“He then pushed her face into the car with force.

"The defendant then punched her in the bridge of her nose, causing pain, and grabbed a clump of her hair to try to drag her back inside.

“She put up a fight and the defendant let her go.”

This caused cuts and swelling to the victim's face.

Tim Morgan, defending, said: “He engaged fully with police and remained respectful about the victim in interview.

“He was emotional. He wrote to the victim after the incident, sending her a card apologising for his actions.

“The incident happened at his address and there was an argument, a provocation.

“[The comment] was the straw that broke the camel’s back and he lost his temper.

“He’s been involved in the drug world and conflicts in that world are often resolved with violence.

"Spending so much time in that world may have led him to believe that that’s how you resolve conflicts and it moved into his domestic life.

“There is a prospect of rehabilitation. Work can be done in terms of relationships and communication."

District Judge Joanna Dickens mentioned that someone making a critical comment was not an excuse to hit them.

She added: "This is a really serious incident. The description sounds horrific - you are lucky the injuries did not turn out to be more serious."

An 18-week prison sentence has been suspended for two years due to the amount of remorse Knight showed after the attack.

He must carry out 40 hours of unpaid work, complete 43 programme sessions, and attend up to 20 rehabilitation activity days, as well as pay £154 to fund victim services.

A new two-year restraining order prevents him from contacting his victim or going to the street on which she lives.