Kurt Palmer, 35, struck his partner with his car following a violent argument in which he pinned her to the ground, pulled her hair, and waved a baseball bat. The incident occurred in front of onlookers on a street in Ely, Cardiff.
Argument escalates into physical assault
According to prosecutor Harriet Ealden, Palmer and his partner were arguing in a parked car on Aberporth Road when he shouted, "Give me my phone." The victim said she had thrown it, and both got out to search for it. The victim then demanded her keys, but Palmer walked to a black Audi, retrieved what appeared to be a baseball bat, and waved it around.
He struck the victim's car bonnet with the bat and approached her as if to hit her. The victim managed to take the bat, but Palmer began screaming and swearing in her face. The confrontation turned physical as Palmer pulled her to the ground by her hair, causing her to scream in pain. He then pinned her down by kneeling on top of her for about a minute while continuing to pull her hair.
Car used as weapon
After getting up, Palmer entered his car and revved the engine. He drove forward and reversed into the victim's car. As she tried to jump out of the way, he hit her right leg, knocking her to the pavement. He then drove off toward Cowbridge Road West but performed a U-turn and drove toward her car as if to crash into it, swerving away at the last moment before heading toward Heol Trelai.
Police arrested Palmer, who made "no comment" during his interview. He later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and affray at Cardiff Crown Court. The court heard he has four previous convictions for five offences.
Mitigation and sentence
In mitigation, Sol Hartley said Palmer had an "exceptionally difficult" childhood and came from a deprived background but had built a life for himself. Palmer had spent four months in custody on remand.
Recorder Robin Rouch sentenced Palmer to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 36 sessions of the Building Better Choices programme, 100 hours of unpaid work, and was disqualified from driving.
