Lewis Reed, 25, of Richardson Street, Wallsend, North Tyneside, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison at Newcastle Crown Court for assaulting his pregnant partner and threatening to stab her dog. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and making threats to destroy or damage property.
Attacks on pregnant partner
The court heard that Reed attacked the woman, who was 27 weeks pregnant, on June 28 this year. During the incident, he pushed his forehead against hers, pushed her against the wall, and punched her in the face, leaving her with a black eye. When she tried to leave, he told her: "You have got 10 seconds to leave or I'll stab your dog." The victim picked up the dog's lead and Reed pushed her in the back, causing her to fall again.
The court also heard that the woman had been attacked by Reed around six months earlier, on Christmas Day last year. On that occasion, he pushed his head towards hers, spat on her, put an arm around her neck, and threw her. She hit her face on the corner of a bedroom unit, leaving a cut to the bridge of her nose and two black eyes.
Background and court details
Prosecutor Gurjot Kaur told the court: "She was manipulated and made to feel worthless. She completely lost her self confidence and became a shadow of the person she once was." Ms Kaur said the pair had been in an on-off relationship for around three years, and the victim described how it turned toxic, with Reed becoming aggressive and verbally abusive.
On Christmas Day, the woman had gone out for drinks with friends, and Reed expressed unhappiness about her being out, leading her to go home early. She found Reed already at home and went straight to bed, but he followed her and pushed his forehead against hers while shouting. When she tried to leave the bedroom, he threw her, and she hit her face on the bedroom unit.
On June 28, the victim went to Reed's home as he wanted to apologise for not supporting her during the pregnancy. She fell asleep, and Reed left, returning early the next morning intoxicated, leading to the argument and assault.
Sentencing and impact
The court heard that the woman gave birth to her son, who Reed is the father to, 13 weeks prematurely. Reed was already subject to a suspended prison sentence for motoring offences when he committed the first attack.
Jonathan Cousins, defending, said Reed had expressed remorse and had had time in custody to consider his position. He said: "He's also took the opportunity to confront, or at least acknowledge, the need to address his consumption of drugs and alcohol. Plainly he was out of control in relation to that consumption before he went into custody." Mr Cousins added that Reed had some difficulties as a child and had been diagnosed with ADHD.
Judge Graham Robinson told Reed: "You made the deliberate decision to punch her in the face, leading to a black eye. You punched a woman who was 27 weeks pregnant. She gave birth prematurely to the son, who you are the father to." The judge sentenced him to 16 months in prison and handed him a five-year restraining order against the victim.
