A NEWPORT man was given a suspended prison sentence after punching his ex-partner so hard her “eyesight went blurry” and she “felt sick”.

Craig Butler, 27, of Mendalgief Road, was given the 26 week sentence, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Newport Crown heard yesterday how Butler punched complainant Lydija Vrcic three times and hit her to the floor in a jealous rage.

The attack left Miss Vrcic with swelling on her forehead, a deviated nasal bridge, a black eye, bruises inside her lip and leg grazes.

Prosecuting John Warren said the pair were in a relationship for three years but Butler became controlling and jealous after losing his job and they lost their baby.

He became convinced Miss Vrcic was seeing a work colleague and cut up her work cards to stop her attending.

Miss Vrcic left him on June 16 to live with her grandparents in Llantarnam Road, Cwmbran. At 3am on June 17, Butler tricked her to meet him outside by saying he would kill himself if she didn’t.

The two walked to a park and sat on a bench, where Mr Warren said Butler repeatedly accused Miss Vrcic of having an affair.

“That is when he hit her so hard, her eyesight went blurry, ears started ringing and she felt sick,” said Mr Warren.

Defending Mary Parry-Evans described the assault as "out of character” and said it happened after a friend told Butler Miss Vrcic was having an affair.

Judge Mark Furness ordered Butler to complete 150 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation .