A man recovering from a cocaine-fuelled boozy night has admitted assaulting his ex-girlfriend in front of her children after she asked him to leave.
At Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (10 March), Nathan Grace, 37, pleaded guilty to assault by beating.
Prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the defendant, of Padstow Road, Swindon, had been drinking with friends and taking cocaine at his ex’s home on New Year’s Eve – despite caring for two children.
Grace had been left in charge of his teenage step-daughter – who refers to him as her dad – and his nine-year-old son whilst the victim went out with her friends.
When she returned home on New Year’s Day, she found the defendant sleeping in her bed. Waking him, she told him it was inappropriate being in her bed because they have separated.
His ex-girlfriend told him to leave when he moved to his son’s bed and started sleeping there. As a result, he became aggressive – telling her, and their son, to “f**k off”.
Grace barged past her, causing her to smack into the door frame. His step-daughter proceeded to tell him to leave. It’s said he then swore at her, causing her to cry.
The victim told the children to go upstairs because she was “concerned about what he might do”. Her daughter was stood at the top of the stairs as he continued to kick off.
As she blocked him from heading upstairs, he continued to tell her to “f**k off” before shoving her multiple times. She also claims she was slapped in the face by the defendant.
As he left, he said: “Watch out now, I’m gonna be a f**king nasty c**t to you all”, Mr Ballinger said.
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The court heard that the couple’s relations broke down after ten years “due to differences” and a “lack of connection”, and they parted ways but Grace was always a “good father”.
Mr Ballinger added: “Prior to this incident on New Year’s Day, there has never been any violence towards her, but she said that he can get aggressive and confrontational during arguments.
“She says that when he drinks he changes into someone she doesn’t recognise.”
Following his arrest, in custody, he told officers that he had consumed 12-15 pints of lager and taken cocaine. He categorically denied slapping her during the assault.
Stephen Collins, defending, asked the court to adjourn for a pre-sentence report (PSR) due to Grace’s previous convictions for offences committed in drink.
Magistrates ordered a PSR and adjourned the case until April and he was bailed.
No restraining order or bail conditions were put in place after Mr Collins explained how Grace sees the children regularly and “bridges have been built”.
