A MAN who left his then partner for dead in a pool of blood at their home in Chepstow is to be released from prison after serving less than half of a 44-month jail term.

The family of the victim, who still lives in Chepstow, has been told Ben Feltham is to be released from Parc Prison in Bridgend at the end of the month, 16 months after being jailed for grievous bodily harm with intent.

One friend said: "People need to be aware that this monster is being released at the end of the month after serving hardly any of his sentence."

Feltham, originally from Downend in Bristol, bludgeoned the woman in the bedroom of their home in Garden City.

He was arrested on the Severn Bridge and entered a guilty plea at Newport Crown Court to a charge of grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to three years and eight months in January 2011.

The friend said: "There is an injunction against him but he still has a share in the house so he can apply to go there with 48 hours notice which can't be right."

News that Feltham is being released came in the week it was announced that Gwent is to become one of four trial areas for "Clare's Law".

The year-long trial will give people in Gwent, Greater Manchester, Nottinghamshire and Wiltshire the "right to ask" for information about any history of domestic violence that a partner might have.

At the time of Feltham's conviction his victim said she was left with a broken nose and a disjointed eye socket which affected her vision.

She told the Review: "When I came round I was lying in a pool of blood, there was blood half way up the bedroom walls and across the landing. He'd obviously punched or kicked me when I was unconscious. And he left the house thinking I was dead."

Nobody at the Wales Probation Trust, which "manages" offenders was available for comment.

All offenders, except those convicted of murder, are released halfway through their jail terms. Any time spent in custody on remand is also taken off the sentence.