A 'controlling bully' was exposed when he attacked his wife following a meal at which he had taunted a woman in a same-sex relationship.
Andrew David Keenan was said to be "extremely violent" after drinking and subjected his wife Andrea to a series of attacks. These included pouring boiling water on her, banging her head on the floor and making her transfer him £20,000 by grabbing her thumb and unlocking her phone.
North Wales Live reported that the 49 year old's abuse of her came to light in August 2021 when he couldn't control his anger in front of others, Mold Crown Court heard on Thursday.
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On August 13, Mrs Keenan had cooked dinner for the defendant, along with some of their family who were visiting them in Denbighshire. Also at the meal was family friend Helen Blundell.
During the evening, Keenan, of Deva Crescent in Rhyl, made "several comments" about the fact that Ms Blundell was in a same-sex relationship, which made her "uncomfortable". He was said to be making "sexual suggestions" as well as asking her if she "missed d**k".
The court heard that, later in the night, Keenan smashed a mirrored wardrobe panel after getting "annoyed" by Mrs Keenan. Ms Blundell had asked Keenan to keep quiet in case he woke the sleeping child that was in the house.
He grabbed Ms Blundell by the throat before pinning her to the wall. The court heard he then dragged his wife into the garden by the hair before "banging her head on the floor".
Keenan fled the scene in his wife's car when he realised Ms Blundell had called the police. He was arrested a short time later when he was found nearby at his parent's house.
When questioned by the police, Keenan denied carrying out the attacks in malice or driving while drunk. He claimed to be acting in self-defence against the two women and went on to insist that the pair must have moved the car in a bid to "frame him".
While the investigation was ongoing, Keenan's previous violent outbursts were exposed by his wife. She told officers about two previous incidents she hadn't reported at the time.
During the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, Mrs Keenan had been given a bank loan which she intended to put towards home improvements among other things. The court heard that Keenan had taken to drinking more than usual during that period of time.
On the day of the attack in June 2020, he had been drinking and "demanded" that she she transferred £20,000 of the loan money to him. When she refused, he grabbed her thumb and unlocked her phone "by force" to access her banking app and move the cash.
Mr Barnes said that Keenan did give the money back to his wife and apologised for his actions. The court heard that she chose to forgive him and move on.
Less than a year later, in April 2021, Mrs Keenan was attacked again. The court heard she was getting ready for bed when her husband came back from the bathroom "in an aggressive mood".
The court heard she took a thermos of boiled water to bed. She was left in excruciating pain when Keenan ripped the duvet away from her and poured the scalding liquid on her lower body, which left her with a scar.
Simon Rogers, defending, said there was "little to be said" for his client other than that there was a "clear misuse of alcohol", which he said Keenan "fully acknowledges".
The 49-year-old has quit alcohol altogether since the "unpleasant" offences, which has been "making a real difference" already, said Mr Rogers. The court heard the former plumbing engineer had delivered food parcels during lockdown to vulnerable people in his community and had previously volunteered for the local coastguard team.
Keenan had been found guilty after a trial at Llandudno Magistrates Court of multiple offences including drink driving, assault and criminal damage and at Mold Crown Court, Judge Rhys Rowlands sentencing him to two years and eight months in jail.
Judge Rowlands said: "Despite outward appearances, you are an extremely violent man when drunk. You are a controlling bully and it is deeply distasteful that you showed your hostility towards others on your perception of their sexual preferences."
Keenan was given an extended driving ban for the next three years. He was also ordered to keep away from both Ms Blundell and Mrs Keenan for the next five years.
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