A Cotswold man who threw a coffee mug at his former partner's face, causing her a 'significant' eye injury, has been given a suspended 16-month jail term at Gloucester Crown Court.

Frazer Lusty, 25 of Cross Tree Flats, Kempsford, near Fairford, pleaded guilty yesterday (February 24) to unlawfully and maliciously wounding his former partner on June 6, 2020.

Gloucester Crown Court heard yesterday that following Lusty’s break up with his partner of five years she visited his home because they jointly own a dog.

Prosecutor Edward Hetherington said: “The conversation between them was initially civil enough but it suddenly changed.

“Lusty then started shouting at the woman and swinging his fists towards her. He then grabbed a cushion and struck her with it a number of times.

“The argument then escalated. She tipped over the coffee table over in anger and Lusty picked up a coffee cup and threw it at her. It struck the side of her face and knocked her off her feet.

“When Lusty saw the blood pouring from the woman’s face he offered her a towel. He then contacted a friend of the woman to help.

“The victim received severe lacerations to her right eye. She had her wounds dressed at hospital and was told to report the incident to the police.”

The court heard that Lusty was subsequently arrested and questioned. In her victim statement the woman said she believed that Lusty should be supported through rehabilitation as she still felt sympathetic towards him.

Matthew Harbinson said: “Lusty does not believe he is a violent man.

“As soon as he realised he had injured her he was remorseful towards her and helped stem the wound.

“Lusty puts his behaviour on this day down to reacting badly to the suicide of a close friend. He suffered emotionally from this.

“Lusty knows that this crosses the custody threshold, but I feel he has the potential for rehabilitation. He needs formal direction in his life.”

Recorder Richard Shepherd said to Lusty: “This can only be a met by a custodial sentence. This is domestic violence in which you caused a serious injury to your former partner. This has had a significant impact on her life.

“You used a weapon, albeit a coffee mug, but there was no premeditation in your attack. You must take responsibility for your actions. You must grow up.

“However I am able to suspend your sentence because there is a genuine prospect of rehabilitation.”

The judge sentenced Lusty to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years and ordered him to complete 30 programme days, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours of unpaid work.

The judge also imposed a five year restraining order not to contact his former partner.