A HUSBAND who threatened to “smash his wife’s head in” with a claw hammer subjected her to a string of brutal attacks over five days.

Benjamin Benekeratis, of Clos Gwyn, Tumble, admitted seven counts of assault by beating when he appeared at Llanelli Magistrates last Thursday.

The string of attacks occurred between February 16 and 20.

Sian Vaughan, prosecuting, described how Mrs Benekeratis had received a telephone call from her husband while she was at work on February 15 in which he threatened to harm himself.

However, when she arrived home, Benekeratis, 31, turned on her.

“He grabbed her, getting her in a headlock,” said Ms Vaughan.

Benekeratis took offence when she telephoned a friend the following day and “punched and kicked her several times”.

Another argument on February 18 saw him attempt to punch his wife but she “blocked it with her arms”.

On February 19, the couple had been travelling in their car when Benekeratis punched his wife in the face, leading to her jumping out of the passenger door.

“The defendant persuaded her to get back in and she sat in the back of the car to prevent further assault,” said Ms Vaughan

However, she suffered a further punch to the face later that day.

Another argument took place at their home on February 20 and Benekeratis threatened to “smash her head in” with a claw hammer, said Mrs Vaughan.

Later, Benekeratis brandished a knife and told her “this will be your last night here” before punching her to the head again.

District Judge Richard Williams said Benekeratis had “a concerning history of violence”.

The defence claimed Benekeratis was not a “continual perpetrator of violence”, but was dealing with personal issues.

Judge Williams denied Benekeratis bail, stating that he posed further risk of him causing emotional and physical harm to his family.

Benekeratis was remanded in custody until sentencing on March 14 at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.