Jailed for 18 months (From Barry And District News)

Jailed for 18 months

A BARRY man who went on the run for four years after trying to strangle his girlfriend with a television cable was jailed last Wednesday (October 26) for 18 months.

David Rogers fled to Holland in 2001 just before he was due to be sentenced for attacking Melanie Allan - the mother of two of his children - at their home in Phyllis Street.

He had admitted causing actual bodily harm, and was due to appear at Newport Crown Court for sentencing that September - but he absconded.

However he was eventually tracked down and arrested on his return to South Wales in August.

While abroad, the 33-year-old had built himself a whole new life - which included a new girlfriend and six-month-old baby daughter called Julie.

Cardiff Crown Court was told Rogers had tried to choke Melanie Allan after a furious row at her home.

Prosecutor Eugene Egan said: "Miss Allan threw Rogers out when he threatened her with an air rifle.

"When he tried to come back to her house, he forced her to the ground, straddled her and attempted to choke her with the television cable.

"She was terrified and frightened for her life."

When Rogers was arrested he admitted his actions were "terrible and cowardly".

But the court heard he skipped bail to flee abroad, where he found a new life working as a roofer in Amsterdam and living with his new girlfriend.

Julian Kesner, defending, said: "This is a man from a religious family whose luck changed when he found himself in Amsterdam.

"He was picked up by a Christian charity who gave him a bible and restored his faith."

Rogers, originally from Ely, but now of Fairford, Barry, admitted affray, attempt to choke and assault.