A MAN who punched his then-girlfriend in the head and spat on her because of the crispiness of his chicken has been jailed.

Paul Griffiths, of Heol Bathafarn in Coedpoeth, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Thursday morning.

The 49-year-old had been found guilty after a Magistrates Court trial of assault by beating, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Rosemary Proctor, prosecuting, told the court that the victim in respect of all three offences was the defendant's then-partner, Andrea Higgins.

They had been in a two year and nine month relationship which the victim described as "volatile."

The first two offences, the assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage, happened on June 27 this year, when the couple were staying at Gales B&B in Llangollen.

Ms Higgins was asleep when Griffiths grabbed her by the collar and bit her on the neck.

He told her he'd got her dinner, which they went to eat.

But when the victim couldn't finish the meal, the defendant became unhappy.

He kicked her to the shin, causing her to fall, and carried on kicking, as well as spitting at her.

Griffiths also snapped her mobile phone in half.

Two days later, in Coedpoeth, Ms Higgins cooked chicken for the defendant.

He claimed it was "too crispy" and punched her to the back of the head more than once, before spitting on her.

Paul Griffiths (NWP)Paul Griffiths (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) The victim reported both incidents to the police and Griffiths was arrested.

In a statement read to the court, Ms Higgins said she "simply wants to get rid of the defendant" as he scares her and she doesn't feel safe knowing he is "out there."

Ms Proctor told the court Griffiths has 77 previous convictions for 200 offences, including numerous previous instances of violence.

Joshua Gorst, defending, told the court: "No weapon was used in the assault and it was impulsive and spontaneous.

"In the pre-sentence report, there are suggestions that he's not quite been able to take full responsibility for the offences he has been found guilty of.

"He has indicated to me that the impression he was trying to give wasn't that he didn't accept the biting - even though he maintains he didn't do that, he nevertheless accepts the finding of the court.

"He says he is sorry for hurting the victim in this case."

Mr Gorst said the "drivers" for his client's offending are drink and drugs.

He added: "It is something he has found extremely difficult to break free of, despite a clear desire to do so.

"His ability to break free [of drink and drugs] has been exacerbated by the fact he's been so frequently in and out of prison."

Recorder Wyn Lloyd-Jones told the defendant his actions towards the victim had been "disgusting."

He said: "I can't readily remember a case where a defendant has as many as 34 pages of previous convictions.

"And what's more, you've been given many opportunities by the court.

"It is sad how you are literally throwing your life away because, no doubt, of the drugs  and alcohol you've been abusing for a very long time.

"I don't accept that you're genuinely remorseful for what you did because at the end of the day, you had a trial."

In all, Griffiths received an 18 month immediate custodial sentence.

A restraining order was imposed to protect the victim until further order.