A Brecon vicar accused of punching and biting her fiancée in a drunken lovers' spat during lockdown has been cleared of all wrongdoing, writes Adam Dutton.

Michelle Bailey, 54, had gone on trial accused of attacked her then-partner Diane Shore, 56, at the alleged victim's home in Stoke-on-Trent, on May 23, 2020.

Rev Bailey was cleared by magistrates on March 11, 2022 of assault by beating and criminal damage after claiming she had acted in self-defence.

The vicar of nearly 20 years, who moved to the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon in 2018, said it was her who was assaulted and the bruises on Diane Shore's body were from her protecting herself.

The prosecution had alleged that Miss Bailley had been drinking large amounts of wine before attacking her partner during lockdown, but when she took to the stand to give evidence herself, she said that she was not the aggressor.

The court had earlier heard that Miss Shore was punched three times before being bitten on the wrist, and also had her glasses broken during the alleged assault.

She was left with two black eyes, a split nose, her ear detached from her head, bite marks and bruises to her torso.

The court heard that Rev’d Bailey had been staying with Miss Shaw during the coronavirus lockdown but their ten month relationship had “turned sour”.

Miss Shaw told North Staffordshire Justice Centre she felt “scared” as she was bitten as she feared Rev’d Bailey had taken the skin tissue away from her arm.

Rev’d Bailey, from Glanllyn, Brecon, who was suspended from her duties at the Benefice of Dan yr Epynt last year, told the court it was Miss Shore who had consumed three bottles of wine and that things turned sour when she poured the remaining bottle down the sink.

Giving evidence, Rev’d Bailey said: “She stood up in front of me, there was an argument.

“It was about a lot of things. We’d argued all the way through lockdown.

“Diane grabbed me by the neck and pulled my hair and pushed me against the wall.

“She was pulling me by my hair in the bedroom. I bit her on her arm as I didn’t know what else to do.

“She wasn’t letting me go and I couldn’t breathe.”

When the prosecution claimed Rev’d Bailey’s account of events was to protect her reputation, she replied: “My reputation has gone out of the window.

“I have suffered PTSD, I am no longer working for the Church in Wales. I am not fighting for my character as I have nothing left to lose.”

Acquitting her of the charges, chair of the bench Marcus Waite said: “Overall, Miss Bailey’s evidence remained closer to events than Miss Shore’s.

“I need to bear in mind Miss Bailey is of good character. The photos of the injuries support Miss Bailey’s account.

“Miss Bailey acted out of self-defence, she is to be acquitted of the assault charge. She is also entitled to be acquitted of criminal damage.”