A man rained punches down on his girlfriend’s head, forcing her child to intervene in the attack.
37-year-old Benjamin Halford appeared to be sentenced for assault by beating and criminal damage at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (5 October).
Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said the defendant had been in a relationship with the woman – who has three children – for around three and a half years.
On 18 January this year, he became aggressive towards his girlfriend after she asked him if the Xbox was broken. As a result, she suggested he goes to stay at a friend’s house.
The aggression continued and she phoned 999 to report the matter to the police. But Halford grabbed her hair and pushed her head against the wall.
“I’m done, enough is enough”, he told her. She responded: “I’ve done nothing wrong.” He then punched the Sky Glass television and destroyed it.
The incident continued as Halford pushed her onto the sofa, repeatedly punching her in the head as she continued her 999 call.
One of her children, who are aged between nine and 14, came to the rescue – intervening in the attack. He proceeded to punch her in the head again when the child was present.
The court heard how Halford, of Second Chance Residential Park in Marston Meysey, near Swindon, has previous for domestic abuse, including convictions against a previous partner in 2017.
Emma Hillier, defending, said her client “wants to stop” – accepting he has a history of domestic violence and telling the court he wants to do the Building Better Relationships Programme.
She said that he has purchased a caravan in the middle of nowhere and has started a construction job on the Persimmon Homes estate in Badbury Park.
Ms Hillier added that Halford has a child from a previous relationship and wants to re-engage with him via social services once he has completed the programme.
Chair of the bench Martin Clarke said: “Do you feel proud about that? This is a woman in her own home and that’s what you do?
“You’ve been in prison before, why shouldn’t we just send you to prison?
“You’ve got to start learning now that when you have a bad day, your partner isn’t your personal punchbag… are you gonna learn that?”
He imposed a 24-month community order with the Building Better Relationships Programme, 15 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £85 prosecution costs and a £95 surcharge.
