A young woman was dragged along a road by her boyfriend who had lost his temper in a shocking attack that left her with "appalling" injuries during a camping trip in Powys, a court has heard.

Edward Taylor, aged 29, avoided an immediate 12-month prison sentence which was suspended for two years after he pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH) on the first day of his trial last month.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Taylor, who will keep his job at a solicitor’s firm, that the injuries were so bad he was close to being charged with grievous bodily harm (GBH).

"You caused her horrible injuries. They were very unpleasant injuries indeed and you must have been aware the pain she was in and how much distress you caused. She had to seek strangers help," the judge said at Swansea Crown Court.

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"You need to get your drinking sorted otherwise your life and others around you will be an unpleasant one in coming years."

The court heard that the couple had a good night visiting pubs in the Ystradgynlais area in August last year. While walking back to the campsite where they were staying, the victim sat on a curb and refused to move unless her boyfriend calmed down after he became angry.

Prosecutor Craig Jones told the court that Taylor grabbed his girlfriend by the legs and pulled her onto the road, and she struck her head, before dragging her by the arms.

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"She was in immense pain," Mr Jones said. "She was screaming and crying."

The victim, who was "extremely distressed", sought refuge at a nearby house and was cared for that night by the campsite owners, Mr and Mrs Watts. 

The following day, Taylor became abusive and "ultimately the door was shut on him" when the campsite owners told him that the police had been called.

The court was told that the couple separated for a number of weeks, but the victim agreed to meet the following month where they drank alcohol. Taylor again lost his temper and broke a television screen.

Defence barrister David Singh said Taylor's references from family, friends and employers Tozer solicitors in Devon, "paints a different side to what he exhibited last year".

He said: "He bitterly regrets his actions. He recognises alcohol played a part but it’s no excuse.

"Mr Taylor's family are very supportive, and they want to work with him and probation to ensure there is no repetition of this."

Judge Paul Thomas KC decided to suspend Taylor's prison sentence because there was sufficient evidence that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

Taylor, of Essington Close, Exmouth, Devon, was ordered to wear an alcohol monitoring tag, and complete 31 days of a building better relationships programme as well as 15 rehabilitation requirement days. He must also keep to a three-year restraining order not to contact or approach his former girlfriend.

"Your protestation and remorse would have been more convincing had it been before the day of the trial," the judge added.