The sentencing of a man who assaulted his then partner on three occasions has been adjourned for a psychiatric report.

Geraint Purton, 30, of New Inn, near Pencader, admitted assaulting the woman three times over the course of two months.

All three assaults happened at the same Carmarthenshire address on May 14, June 18 and July 1 this year. On each occasion Purton caused his victim actual bodily harm.

Purton was remanded into custody on July 15 when he admitted all three offences at Llanelli Magistrates Court.

A further charge of coercive control against the same woman was denied by Purton at a previous crown court hearing.

The prosecution said these pleas were acceptable and a trial would not be sought on the remaining charge.

Purton was due to be sentenced today, Wednesday, September18 at Swansea Crown Court.

However, defending barrister Robin Rouch requested an adjournment in order for a psychiatric report to be prepared.

He told Judge Mr Recorder A Eardley KC that Purton had been under the care of Carmarthenshire community mental health team and that he was in receipt of anti-psychotic drugs while in prison.

Mr Rouch told the court that, as Purton was in breach of a suspended sentence order it must be conceded that he will receive a custodial sentence.

However, it would be beneficial for the court to have a ‘diagnosis and prognosis before sentence’.

Judge Eardley said that the court would be assisted by a psychiatric report. He ordered one to be commissioned by the defence and adjourned sentencing for seven weeks.

“It is highly likely that you will remain in custody to serve your sentence,” he told Purton. “But the report will help a judge decide what the fair application of the sentence should be.”