A BALA man has been ordered to pay his ex girlfriend £125 compensation after admitting assaulting her and giving her a black eye.

Magistrates at Dolgellau were shown photographs of injuries incl­uding a black eye and reddening of her neck which were sustained by Leah Jones after being assaulted.

Marius Lourikietis, 27, of 23 Arran­ Street pleaded guilty to assau­lting Ms Jones at Yr Hafan on 10 April. Pre-sentence reports were presented to Dolgellau magistrates last Thursday.

Tracey Willingham, prosecuting, said the assault was classed as dom­estic violence because of the relationship between the defendant and the victim.

The crown prosecutor told the court the incident was brought to the attention of the police by a friend of the victim who was concerned about the domestic violence.

The victim told police that she had changed her mind and would be asking for a restraining order, adding that she felt the defendant needed help to control his anger, said the prosecutor.

When interviewed by police, the defendant agreed that he needed help to control his anger, especially after consuming alcohol.

The crown prosecutor said that at a previous hearing regarding another case, the magistrates had imp­osed a pub ban on the defendant and he said the defendant had made 14 court appearances involving 25 offences.

The pre-sentence report recommended a community order and for the defendant to attend rehabilitation, systems thinking and alcohol awareness courses, and a residency order.

The magistrates imposed an 18-month community order with 35 days’ rehabilitation, 35 sessions of systems thinking, a six-month alcohol awareness course and 18 months’ residency at 23 Arran Street.

Court chairman Elfed ap Gomer agreed to a request for a restraining order preventing the defendant from contacting Ms Jones or going near her home for 18 months.

The court also ordered the defendant to pay £125 compensation to Ms Jones. Prosecution costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £85 were also imposed, making a total penalty of £295, to be paid at the rate of £10 per week.