A man punched a woman in the face so hard she fell backwards and vomited repeatedly.
Appearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (7 September), 33-year-old Matthew Bartlett stood to be sentenced for the assault on his now-former partner.
The defendant, of Ventnor Close, denied the violent offence – but was found guilty at trial.
Prosecutor Kate Prince said Bartlett and the victim had been engaged in an argument on 11 August 2021, in which he labelled her family “scum”.
He stormed towards her and punched her in the face. The force threw her backwards into a wall and left her so dizzy she repeatedly vomited.
The attack was witnessed by three of the woman’s children – aged six, eight and nine.
The victim was taken to hospital and spent nine hours being treated for concussion.
The court heard that Bartlett had previous – with a conviction for assault in 2010.
Emma Hillier, defending, said her client has had “time to reflect and fully respects the court’s verdict”.
She said the defendant was not opposed to a restraining order and has not had any contact with the victim since the date of the incident.
He added that he claims benefits and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and his 20-year-old step-daughter lives with him.
Cheif magistrate Martin Clarke said it was “totally unacceptable” to punch a woman in the face in front of her children.
“What society expects us to do is put people like you in prison for doing something like this”, he added.
But noting that his pre-sentence report contained “a couple of saving graces”, he imposed a 15-month community order – with 32 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Bartlett will also pay a fine of £180, a £95 surcharge and £625 court costs. A restraining order was also imposed, preventing him from contacting the victim or visiting her address.
