His partner thought she would die when he held a pillow over her face and punched her repeatedly

Wales Online

08-05-2025

His partner thought she would die when he held a pillow over her face and punched her repeatedly
'I tried to kill myself three times over what he did to me and overdosed three times... I can't trust a man near me or even my own family'
Matthew Clarke, 41, suffocated his partner by holding a pillow over her face and punching her repeatedly
(Image: Gwent Police )
A woman was suffocated by her partner who held a pillow over her face and punched her repeatedly. The victim thought she was going to die and armed herself with a kitchen knife.
Matthew Clarke, 41, assaulted his partner at her home in Tredegar on October 29 last year. He breached bail conditions after turning up at her house. While there he accused her of cheating on him and was physically abusive towards her to the point she took hold of a blade in order to protect herself.
‌
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Tuesday heard the defendant entered the victim's home at 1.30pm while she was showering and he was aggressive towards her. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter.
‌
He accused the victim of cheating and smashed her phone against a bathroom radiator before throwing it at her.
Later that day, the victim was in bed and she told Clarke to leave but he picked up a can of cider and hit her to the head with it before drinking it.
He then shook another can and opened it over her before also pouring another can over her. He claimed she owed him money and she responded by throwing a remote control at him.
Article continues below
Prosecutor Amelia Pike said Clarke returned to the victim's home at 10.30pm and he entered her bedroom where he was shouting and aggressive towards her.
How to access free domestic abuse helplines in Wales
If you, a family member, or a friend have experienced domestic abuse or sexual violence, you can contact the Live Fear Free helpline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice and support, or to talk through your options. Call 0808 80 10 800, text 0786 007 7333, email [e-mail] or go to gov.wales/live-fear-free
Live Fear Free (funded by Welsh Government and run by Welsh Women's Aid) is a confidential service. Calls to 0808 80 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones in the UK. They do not appear on itemised bills. The helpline provides support in English and Welsh, and access to an interpreter for callers with language support needs.
The Refuge charity also provides information, support and practical help 24 hours a day to women experiencing domestic violence. The service can refer women and children to refuges throughout the UK to help them escape domestic abuse. Refuge can be called on 0808 808 9999.
The defendant continued to accuse her of being unfaithful, which she denied. The victim told him to leave her alone and said if he hit her again "that would be the last".
‌
Clarke responded by beginning to strike her multiple times to her face and body using both hands.
He then got on top of the victim and straddled her arms before grabbing a pillow and holding it over her face.
The defendant did this on three or four occasions for minutes at a time and the victim could feel blows from him punching the pillow.
‌
She was unable to breathe and feared she was going to die.
Eventually, Clarke stopped and said he wanted a cigarette and told the victim he "loved and hated her".
Ms Pike said the victim was "frozen in pain and in shock". He hit her again and she got out of bed, saying she was going to sleep in the living room, but he said if she did she would "get another beating".
‌
The victim went to the kitchen and retrieved a kitchen knife. The defendant asked her if she was going to stab him or come back to bed.
She told Clarke to let her go and called for help from the doorway. A neighbour had called the police in relation to an unrelated matter and despite the defendant trying to prevent her from shouting, she was heard by officers who came to the door and arrested the attacker.
Samaritans details
You can contact the Samaritans for non-judgmental advice 24/7, 365 days a year, by calling 116 123 or by emailing [e-mail].
They also have an online chat service and a self-help app, or you can write them a letter for free at Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
‌
The victim, who suffered a black eye and bruising, told the court in her victim personal statement that she "thought she was going to die" when the defendant suffocated her.
She added: "I started having flashbacks and when I walked out the flat I never went back to the property. I couldn't sleep because I thought he was going to get me again or kill me. As a result of flashbacks of Matt harming me I went to my mother's in a different area to stay with her.
"I am suffering with problems with my mental health and flashbacks of what happened that night with Matt. I tried to kill myself three times over what he did to me and overdosed three times... I can't trust a man near me or even my own family.
‌
"I see doubles of Matt everywhere I go and I'm completely still with fear. I don't want to go out anymore and get nervous when men are behind me. I don't see friends or even my brother as often as I used to as I don't want to go outside."
Clarke, of Market Street, Tredegar, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of criminal damage.
The court heard the defendant had 19 previous convictions, including five offences against the person including assault occasioning actual bodily harm for which he received a suspended sentence order he is now in breach of.
Article continues below
In mitigation, Gareth Williams said his client had a "difficult upbringing and childhood" and as an adult he suffered with alcoholism and homelessness.
Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Clarke to a total of two years and 10 months imprisonment, and made him subject to a restraining order for 10 years.