A MACHYNLLETH man who assaulted his former partner and her mother “knows there is no excuse for his behaviour”, magistrates have heard.

Ynyr Edwards, of 6 Min y Ddôl, pleaded guilty to assaulting Beverley Holt and Sandra Holt on 17 January after a row about who was looking after their young son.

Vaughan Pritchard Jones, prosecuting, said while the two assaults included pushing and spitting, it was the circumstances around them that had been “frightening” for the victims.

He said that Edwards’ mother had been looking after their young son while Ms Holt carried out some decorating work, but after finishing the work earlier than expected, arrangements had been made for the youngster to go home to his mother earlier.

While Edwards’ mother was happy with the arr­angement, he became angry and drove over to Ms Holt’s mother’s home and started shouting and being aggressive and abusive.

Edwards then pushed past Ms Holt and her mother to go into the house after he had made threats against Sandra Holt’s partner.

Edwards, 22, then left the property, but when Sandra Holt stood in the doorway to stop him going back in, he spat in her face.

Mr Pritchard Jones said: “It was his attitude and demeanour that was frightening.”

Defence solicitor Katy Hanson said Edwards had been in custody awaiting sentence for seven weeks, the equivalent of a three-month custodial sentence.

She said in that time he had been working in the kitchens in prison and was recognised as a hardworking man. She added: “He’s extremely sorry for his behaviour on this day.

“He knows there is no excuse for his behaviour and he doesn’t try to excuse it today.”

Ms Hanson said while a probation service recommendation was for a community order for two years, that could have a lengthy impact on Edw­ards’ work prospects.

She said that magistrates could impose a prison sentence to cover the custodial spell that Edwards has already served, but that he would still be monitored by the probation service.

Magistrates imposed an eight-week prison sentence for the assault on Sandra Holt, with a three-week custodial sentence for the assault on Beverley Holt. The sentences will run concurrently. He will pay costs of £165 and compensation to Sandra Holt of £50. Edwards was also given a two-year restraining order.