A SALTNEY man who punched his pregnant partner and dragged her by her hair through their home has been sentenced.

Anthony Flanagan, of Barwoods Drive, appeared before Mold Crown Court for sentence on Mold Crown Court on Thursday, November 7.

The 36-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and one of affray. A separate count of threatening a person with an offensive weapon (knife) was put to lie on the file in court.

Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, said Flanagan had been with his partner Jordan Percival for two years and that it had been 'positive', so much so that they were due to get married and were expecting a baby together.

On June 23, Ms Percival had been living at her mum's home while plumbing work was taking place at the couple's house.

She had been back to their house that morning to feed their dog and later in the day texted Flanagan asking if he could feed the pet as 'she had done her fair share of dog duties'.

However, when she didn't receive a text back off him, she decided to return to their address to check on the dog and see if the defendant was home.

When Ms Percival arrived, she noticed that Flanagan was playing computer games and that there was an empty bottle of vodka by his side.

When she questioned why he was 'drinking again', he ripped the headphones he was wearing off and screamed in her face.

He then swung his right arm at Ms Percival, connecting with the left side of her neck, jaw and ear.

Flanagan then grabbed his partner by her ponytail and dragged her through the house and out the front door, calling her a 's***'.

Once outside the house, he leaned over her and punched her twice to the mouth.

She shuffled back and he continued to try and kick out at her before she ran down the street.

Ms Percival contacted the defendant's brother for help and she called North Wales Police.

When she looked back, she realised that Flanagan was holding a knife, which he threw at her but did not hit her with.

He then produced another 'larger' knife and continued to shout at her as she made her way to a local shop for safety.

Ms Percival suffered a cut to her mouth and reddening to the face as a result of the attack.

Flanagan then walked back into their home, slamming the door behind him.

The prosecution said that Ms Percival withdrew her complaint against Flanagan, but a conviction was sought via a member of the public, a neighbour, who had witnessed the incident and provided evidence in the case.

Ms Flanagan had previously stated that she had 'never seen him behave like that before' and was 'terrified of what he might be capable of'.

She retracted her statement against him as she 'wanted to focus on the pregnancy', the court said. 

Sarah Badrawy, defending, said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in Flanagan's case.

Sentencing Flanagan, Judge Niclas Parry said: "Your victim was pregnant with your child. She returned home to play her part as your partner, but you were not prepared to do that, but instead only to abuse alcohol."

Flanagan was sentenced to eight months, which was suspended for 18 months. 

He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 35 days of programme requirements and will also be on an alcohol monitoring tag for 90 days.