Key Points
- David Kilminster, 36, of Monmouth Close, New Inn, Pontypool, admitted breaching a five-year restraining order by communicating with his former girlfriend between 23 and 28 September 2026.
- The restraining order came about in July 2026 after Kilminster received a 21-month suspended sentence for brandishing a knife to threaten his former girlfriend at a holiday cottage in St Clears, Carmarthenshire.
- It has been established that David Kilminster made calls and text messages to his victim despite the order; he has now been committed for sentencing at Crown Court on 26 October 2026 and released on conditional bail.
- The original threat involved the man putting a knife to the woman’s throat and threatening to kill her; she was cut during the incident, and the police had to use a Taser gun to subdue him.
- When the knife attack took place, Kilminster was already out on bail pending trial for four offences of stealing from shops in Sainsbury’s and Asda in Pontllanfraith, Blackwood and Cwmbran.
Wales Crime (Wales Times) October 05, 2026 — A man who previously held a knife to his ex-girlfriend’s throat has breached the restraining order imposed to protect her by contacting her again, uk/local/newport/">Newport Magistrates’ Court has heard. As reported by the South Wales Argus, Kilminster admitted breaching the five-year order between 23 and 28 September 2026 by calling and texting the woman he had threatened with a blade earlier this year. He has been committed to Crown Court for sentencing on 26 October 2026 and was granted conditional bail ahead of that hearing.
How did the original knife incident unfold?
The restraining order was imposed in July 2026 following a hearing at Swansea Crown Court where details of a violent incident at a holiday lodge were set out. As reported by the South Wales Argus, prosecutor Abul Hussain told the court that Kilminster and the victim had been in a relationship since August 2021 but split around two years ago; she later allowed him to stay with her in May 2026 because he was homeless, and they travelled to a lodge in St Clears, Carmarthenshire.
According to court testimony cited by the South Wales Argus, Kilminster received a call from his brother that caused him to become angry, and later that evening he accused the victim of laughing at him while she watched television. He went to the kitchen, took a knife, swung it towards her face; she dodged but the blade cut her hand. He then held the knife to her throat, elbowed her in the cheek and told her: “Get out before I f***ing kill you”, before she fled to a neighbouring lodge and police were called. Officers used a Taser to disarm Kilminster, who was using the knife to self-harm, and he was arrested and taken to hospital.
What offences led to the suspended sentence and restraining order?
At Swansea Crown Court, Kilminster pleaded guilty to threatening a person with a bladed article in a private place, battery and four offences of shoplifting. As reported by the South Wales Argus, the shoplifting offences involved stealing a Henry Hoover from Sainsbury’s in Pontllanfraith on 19 March, a Ninja Foodi air fryer from Asda in Cwmbran on 23 March, and a barbecue from Asda in Blackwood and a Shark vacuum cleaner from Sainsbury’s in Pontllanfraith on 20 April.
Recorder Christian Jowett sentenced Kilminster to 21 months, suspended for 21 months, and imposed requirements including 175 hours of unpaid work, a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement and 20 days of rehabilitation activity. The victim was granted a five-year restraining order, and Kilminster was ordered to pay £180 to Sainsbury’s and £140 to Asda in compensation.
What did the court hear about the recent breach?
Newport Magistrates’ Court was told that Kilminster, of Monmouth Close, New Inn, breached the restraining order between 23 and 28 September 2026 by contacting the protected person. He admitted the offence, and the case was committed to Crown Court for sentencing on 26 October 2026. The court granted him conditional bail pending that hearing.
Background: timeline of events and court orders
- August 2021: Kilminster and the victim begin a relationship.
- Around 2024: The couple separate.
- March–April 2026: Four shoplifting offences alleged at Sainsbury’s and Asda in Pontllanfraith, Blackwood and Cwmbran.
- May 2026: Victim allows Kilminster to stay with her; they travel to a lodge in St Clears, Carmarthenshire, where the knife incident occurs on or around 9 May.
- July 2026: Swansea Crown Court imposes 21-month suspended sentence and a five-year restraining order.
- 23–28 September 2026: Kilminster contacts the victim by phone and text, breaching the order.
- October 2026: Newport Magistrates’ Court hears the breach; case committed to Crown Court for sentencing on 26 October.
Prediction: how could this development affect victims and the public?
If Crown Court imposes an immediate custodial sentence for the breach, it may reinforce deterrence for others who consider violating protective orders and could increase confidence among victims that breaches will be punished. Conversely, if the sentence remains non-custodial, some domestic abuse survivors may feel less protected, potentially affecting willingness to seek restraining orders or report contact by perpetrators. For the local community, the case underscores the importance of monitoring compliance with court orders and the role of police response in high-risk domestic situations.
