Jail for man who pointed rifle at wife’s head during argument

A man who pointed an air rifle at his wife’s head during an argument has been jailed.

Dean Prosser, 48, of St Sannan Road, Pontllanfraith, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

In his interview with police officers he said he had wanted his wife to “stop nagging me” and had held the rifle to her head to “shut her up”.

The row happened at the couple’s home during the early hours of February 16 this year after the pair had been out drinking.

Prosser had wanted his wife to dance with him to Please Forgive Me by Canadian singer Bryan Adams, which was the couple’s first dance on their wedding day.

But Prosser’s wife said she was too tired to dance when asked, to which he said “you don’t love me” before starting an argument, prosecutor Rachel Knight told Cardiff Crown Court.

Their daughter described hearing her mother say: “No Dean, please stop it” – and then added: “I saw my dad pick up a gun. He pointed it at her head.”
She said her mother was ‘petrified’ in the showdown at their home and the court heard how Prosser’s son called 999 at around 3am.

Prosser accepted pointing it at his wife for “a few seconds” but said it was not loaded. The defendant stated he thought it would ‘shut her up’, adding: “I wanted her to stop nagging me.”

He admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Steven Donoghue, defending, said the rifle was not held to her head for long, adding: “I accept it must have been absolutely terrifying for her, clearly.”

Mr Donoghue added: “He is terribly ashamed and sorry for doing what he did that night.”

Judge Daniel Williams jailed Dean Prosser for 10 months and made an order for the air rifle to be destroyed.

• Gwent Police has launched a new campaign encouraging people to reach out to those who may be suffering from domestic abuse.

The ReadBetweenTheLines campaign is encouraging people to seek support and spot the signs of abusive behaviour.

Anybody experiencing domestic abuse, or those worried about somebody else, can call the Live Fear Free helpline 24-hour helpline for advice and support on 0808 80 10 800.

The helpline also offers a text service on 07860 077 333.