Angry Leeds thug broke ex's jaw in two places in front of her children then told her to 'stop acting'

The woman also lost a tooth and was forced to endure a soft-food diet for more than six weeks because of the devastating punches thrown by Gavin McGlinchey in front of her horrified children.

Leeds Crown Court heard that they had been in an “on-off” relationship since March of last year. On May 1 this year she told him it was over, and that he seemed fine to begin with and agreed with what she said, prosecutor Anthony Moore said.

But shortly after 8pm that night she had been outside the front of her home when McGlinchey walked into the garden, called her a name then walked into the property.

They began arguing and she then tried to lock him out when he went outside for a cigarette. After kicking at the door, the 41-year-old got back into the property and walked up to her and punched her twice to the face as her two children and her young niece watched on.

The victim thought she may have been knocked unconscious, and came round with McGlinchey shouting at her, telling her to get up and “stop acting”.

Mr Moore said the woman was left “in terrible pain and bleeding heavily from her mouth”. McGlinchey then fled the home. She was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where it was found her jaw was broken on the left and right side of her face.

McGlinchey, of Tong Green, Farnley, was arrested and gave a prepared statement, claiming self defence and that she attacked him, but then refused to answer police questions. He later admitted a charge of Section 20 GBH.

He has 14 previous convictions for 37 offences, including battery. Mitigating, Ayesha Smart pointed to his single conviction for violence and said: “It’s relatively out of character for him. He has mental health issues and is on medication for depression and anxiety.”

She said he was previously stabbed and robbed and was still “on edge”. Miss Smart added: “He is very much ashamed of the way he behaved. There is genuine remorse.”

Judge Neil Clark jailed him for 14 months and gave him a 10-year restraining order.