A Narberth man said to 'richly deserve prison' for attacking his partner three times has received a suspended sentence.

The judge, Mr. Recorder Jeremy Jenkins, said prison would punish self-employed builder Terrance Mark Thomas, but it would not address his anger issues.

Thomas, 41, of The Flat, The Kebab House, Market Street, stood trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of assaulting his then partner Lynsey Marie James.

He was convicted of three of the attacks and cleared on the fourth.

Thomas was back at Swansea Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced.

His barrister, Carina Hughes, said Thomas had several previous convictions for violence and needed to address underlying issues.

Mr. Recorder Jenkins said Thomas had been a controlling force over Miss James and had prevented her from going shopping or walking her dogs. She could not go out to buy a pizza without being accused of sneaking off to see a former boyfriend.

Thomas even insisted she accompanied him to work.

Mr. Jenkins said Thomas had once served a three-and-a-half-year sentence for wounding with intent and he needed to engage with experts to learn to control himself.

"You are a violent man and richly deserve an immediate prison sentence. You could not complain if I sent you into custody now," he added.

Thomas was jailed for 50 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

He was also placed under supervision for 12 months and told to attend whatever courses were organised for him.