Man Jailed for Punching Pregnant Girlfriend in Stomach

A man who punched his pregnant girlfriend in the stomach during a drunken assault has been jailed for 14 months.

John Lacey, 42, attacked his partner when she was 14 weeks pregnant after travelling from Derby to Newport to attend baby scans with her.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the couple had an argument on 22nd March which led to their relationship ending, with Lacey staying overnight in the garage.

The following day, prosecutor Alex Orndal said Lacey had been drinking Malibu when another row broke out. He pushed his partner, prevented her from entering the house, grabbed her from behind and by the neck, and struck her in the face.

Lacey then dug his fingers into the victim’s mouth, causing her to bite him in self-defence, before pulling her to the ground and punching her in the stomach.

Mr Orndal said that “thankfully” no injuries were caused to the unborn baby.

The victim managed to get back into the house where her adult son called police. Lacey tried to get back inside but fled when officers arrived, only to be found and arrested in a nearby field.

Lacey, now of Broad Street Common, Wentloog, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had nine previous convictions.

In her victim personal statement, the woman said: “This incident has been really difficult, my relationship has beaten me down and have had to struggle with the effect of this relationship… I am not the person I was before he changed me, he has ways of getting under my skin…

“I’ll never forgive him for this, the mental and physical trauma he has put me through. I used to be a happy, bubbly person and feel my personality has changed.”

Defence barrister Gareth Williams said his client had received 20 emails from the victim whilst on remand, including scan pictures and pregnancy updates. The court heard Lacey recognised drink was a problem and was trying to tackle the issue.

Judge Simon Mills sentenced Lacey to 14 months imprisonment and imposed a five-year restraining order.