Man Jailed After Throwing Furniture at Partner and Breaking Her Jaw in Series of Violent Attacks

A Cardiff woman was left with multiple jaw fractures after her partner launched a series of violent assaults against her — including throwing a coffee table at her head and placing his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming for help.

Ravelle Melbourne, 32, carried out four separate attacks over nine months, each triggered by jealous accusations that his partner had looked at other men. He was jailed for five years and three months, with an extended licence period of two years, at Cardiff Crown Court.

A pattern of escalating violence

The court heard the couple had been together for a year when Melbourne first attacked the victim on New Year’s Day 2025. After spending the day with family, he pushed her onto a bed, causing her to hit her head on a wall, before shoving her into a bedside unit.

A second assault followed in April after an argument in Llanishen. When the victim refused to let him into her flat, Melbourne pushed her to the floor, scratched her back and kicked her in the head before leaving.

The violence escalated again in June after Melbourne accused her of looking at another man at a Morrisons petrol station. Back at her flat, he dragged her off the sofa, hit her with a coffee table, threw a broken table top at her leg, and hurled a hoover and baby gate at her.

Jaw fractured in final attack

The most serious assault happened on September 12, when Melbourne became angry about her plans to meet friends.

He pulled her off the sofa, threw a baby gate at her head “with full force”, ripped her nightgown and shut the curtains to stop her escaping. As she screamed for help, he covered her mouth and pulled her jaw, causing her to bleed.

Despite briefly allowing her to go to the bathroom, he continued hitting her. She eventually managed to call for help, though Melbourne threatened to “knock her out” if she contacted police.

Officers arrived and arrested him. The victim was taken to hospital where scans revealed multiple fractures to her jaw. She required surgery, metal plates, screws and the removal of several teeth.

‘Nightmares, pain and fear’ — the victim’s words

In a statement read to the court, the victim described the lasting impact:

- “I wake up in the night with hot sweats and lash out in my sleep as if I’m trying to defend myself.”  

- “I experience constant pain in my face… the cold makes it worse.”  

- “I have nightmares about Ravelle hitting me.”  

- “I distanced myself from my family. I was scared to come to court.”  

She said she fears her jaw could break again and still struggles with eating.

No previous convictions — but violence described as ‘sustained and serious’

Melbourne, of Clive Road, Canton, pleaded guilty to wounding and three counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had no previous convictions.

His barrister said he had stable employment and strong family ties, but Recorder Claire Pickthall said the attacks were “repeated, escalating and deeply harmful”.

Melbourne was also handed a 10‑year restraining order banning him from contacting the victim.

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