Man charged with assault, threats to kill and knife possession will face trial at Crown Court

A PEMBROKESHIRE painter and decorator has appeared before magistrates accused of knocking his partner unconscious following what the Crown alleges were years of domestic abuse.

Haverfordwest magistrates heard this week that the complainant claims she was forced to flee her home barefoot with her young child after allegedly being assaulted by Jamie Clews, 38.

The court was told that the incident is said to have occurred at the couple’s address in Hubberston while the woman was running a bath.

“By the time she regained consciousness, the bath was overflowing and water had begun pouring through the downstairs ceiling,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told the court.

“She left the property barefoot, accompanied by her young child, and later collapsed in a local pub.”

Ms Vaughan said the complainant alleges she had been subjected to domestic violence by Clews over a considerable period of time.

“Her arm has been fractured, she has had a knife held to her throat while being told she was going to be killed, and she has been beaten unconscious,” she said.

A victim impact statement was read to the court in which the complainant claimed she had endured several years of abuse.

“There have been times when I’ve been afraid for my life,” she said.

“No-one should have to live with domestic violence, but I’m petrified of him. I don’t want my children to grow up seeing their mother subjected to violent atrocities from Jamie, or from anyone else.”

Clews is charged with assaulting the complainant on two separate occasions, possessing a knife in a private place, making threats to kill, and causing criminal damage to her iPhone.

After considering the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and committed the case to Swansea Crown Court, where Clews is due to appear on January 23.

The Crown applied for Clews to be remanded in custody, a request opposed by defence solicitor Tom Lloyd. No pleas were entered at this stage, though the defence indicated the allegations would be denied.

“This is a bare-bones file, and on that basis the court is being asked to remand a hard-working painter and decorator in custody,” Mr Lloyd said.

“The defendant has been assaulted in the pub on numerous occasions by the complainant, and there is CCTV footage to support that. No mention of this has been made in court this morning. Jamie Clews was the victim here, not her.”

Following a short adjournment, magistrates agreed to release Clews on conditional bail.

The conditions include that he resides with his father at an address in Narberth, has no direct or indirect contact with the complainant, does not enter Hubberston, and observes a daily curfew between 8:00pm and 6:30am.

Anyone affected by domestic abuse in Wales can contact the Live Fear Free Helpline on 0808 80 10 800, a free, 24-hour confidential service providing help, information and support. The helpline also offers a live chat service via the Welsh Government’s Live Fear Free website.

In an emergency, always call 999.