A 41-year-old man fractured a women’s football player’s jaw by striking her repeatedly during an assault.

David Williams attacked Laura Banks three times to her face outside her residence in Tredegar following a disagreement with his partner at the time.

Newport Crown Court was told that the defendant’s vehicle came to an abrupt halt on the victim’s driveway before he exited the car.

Minutes beforehand, the victim had telephoned Williams’s then-partner Julie Wilson, who expressed regret regarding an occurrence from the day before.

During that phone call, the defendant could be heard questioning his girlfriend with an expletive about who the outspoken person was.

Prosecutor Alexander Greenwood stated that five minutes subsequently, the victim heard a vehicle pulling up sharply on her driveway.

The defendant emerged and assumed a fighting stance with his fists raised.

The victim raised her fists in protection but subsequently lowered them.

Miss Banks experienced a cracking sensation and tasted blood after he struck her.

She reminded him that he was a man assaulting a woman.

The defendant returned to his vehicle and departed.

Miss Banks experienced severe pain and her teeth became loose.

An acquaintance transported her to Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil where a CT scan disclosed she had sustained bilateral jaw fractures.

She underwent a five-hour operation involving the insertion of plates and screws.

In her victim impact statement, she described having represented Wales in football but explained she could no longer play the sport due to her injuries.

She acknowledged constant anxiety about encountering Dai Williams.

She described constantly watching her surroundings.

Miss Banks mentioned she must consume soft foods and can no longer eat steak, one of her preferred dishes.

She explained that whenever her jaw contacts metal, she experiences an electric shock sensation.

Williams, from Gainsborough Road, Cefn Golau, Tredegar, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on 1 March 2024.

He entered his plea on the day his trial was set to begin, earning a ten per cent reduction in sentence.

Williams has 16 prior convictions covering 25 offences, with only one involving violence, a common assault in 2010.

Jeffrey Jones for the defence indicated his client was the main caregiver for his mother.

He described the incident as a foolish act stemming from misguided loyalty.

He characterised it as a spontaneous and brief offence.

The judge, Recorder Aidan Eardley KC, informed Williams that his conduct was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was suitable.

The defendant was sentenced to 21 months imprisonment and made subject to a five-year restraining order.