Kelly Cavanagh, 35, was in a relationship with the victim for six years and struck him while he was sleeping on the sofa
A mother from Caernarfon hit her former partner on the head with a saucepan whilst he was sleeping on the sofa. Kelly Cavanagh whacked Dennis Williams, damaged his van and snooped through his phone when he came to collect their children and take them to school.
Cavanagh, 35, of Llys Talar, Pendalar, Caernarfon, admitted a wounding charge. A judge at Caernarfon Crown Court heard she had mental health problems and handed her a 16-month jail term, suspended for 18 months.
The court heard Cavanagh and Mr Williams had been in a relationship for six years and had four children, but both adults would drink and become violent.
In February, 2024, Mr Williams had gone to Cavanagh’s home to take the children to school but ended up falling asleep on a sofa.
It was then that Cavanagh hit him on the head with a saucepan and when he got up he saw the saucepan on the floor.
Mr Williams went into the kitchen to find Cavanagh who was holding a knife. He took the weapon off her and tried to leave but she dragged him back and bit his leg before he managed to flee.
When the victim went outside he discovered Cavanagh had damaged his van’s windscreen and left a hole in a headlight.
The court also heard the defendant had gone through Mr Williams’ mobile phone and found messages from his mother and sister despite Cavanagh banning him from having such contact with them.
Not long after, Mr Williams’ sister received a text message from Cavanagh. Cavanagh sent threatening messages about coming to her home, adding: “I’ll smash your house.” Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.
When police were called officers found Cavanagh had also hit a previous partner with a saucepan in 2022. Jemma Gordon, defending, said her client had an emotionally unstable personality and ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).
Ms Gordon explained the defendant did not have contact with her children and was “missing them greatly”.
The judge, Her Honour Nicola Jones, said Cavanagh had hit Mr Williams but he did not require hospital treatment, she also noted there was no allegation in regard to the knife.
The judge said the victim’s sister had been terrified that Cavanagh’s threat would be carried out but said that, although she caused really serious harm, she had mental health difficulties.
Giving her the suspended sentence the judge said it would cause emotional harm to her children if Cavanagh went straight to jail. She acknowledged she’d shown she was capable of rehabilitation so must do 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
The main offence was the wounding and no separate penalties were given for causing criminal damage and making a threat to cause criminal damage.