A JUDGE has warned that domestic violence has no place in modern society and that those who indulge in it must go to prison.

The judge, Mr Recorder Simon Parrington, was speaking as he jailed a man for 12 months for three separate attacks on his wife.

Mold Crown Court heard that a policewoman who had previously dealt with the victim failed to recognise her after the third attack because of the injuries to her face.

Keith Gavan, 40, of Tanycoed, Wrexham, who admitted punching and kicking his wife, was said to be full of remorse and desperate for help.

In long and detailed submissions Maria Massellis, defending, said Gavan had witnessed domestic violence by his father against his mother and had himself been subjected to violence when he went to his mother's aid.

He accepted he had a problem, was already seeking help and attending various courses, and was anxious to try and effect a reconciliation.

But the judge said it had to be custody.

'You have pleaded guilty to three offences of causing actual bodily harm to your wife in February and March of this year.

'You caused painful injuries to your wife who had to seek medical attention.

'Domestic violence is a matter of concern to all and it must be treated seriously by the courts to demonstrate that such behaviour is completely unacceptable in today's society.'

The judge said that he took into account Gavan's expression of remorse and he was being given credit for his guilty pleas.

He also noted the steps he had taken since his arrest in order to deal with his undoubted problems.

The judge said he had found the case an extremely difficult one to determine, but added: 'These offences cross the threshold for custodial sentences. The aggravating features are that they consist of repeated assaults upon a woman.'

After giving one-third off the sentence, Gavan would be jailed for 12 months, he said.

Paul Smith, prosecuting, told how the case involved three separate attacks upon Gavan's wife which caused injuries including bruising and swelling.

Following the last attack a police woman who knew her could not even recognise her.

Miss Massellis

asked the court to step back from custody in view of his guilty pleas, his acceptance that he had a problem, the fact he was already seeking help for those problems, and his genuine remorse at what he had done.