"Simply an unprovoked and cowardly assault" was how a magistrate labelled a vicious attack that saw a man punch his pregnant partner in the stomach.
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Jeremy Powell, 28, of Ashmont, appeared in Wagga Local Court last Friday when he was sentenced to a 12-month intensive community corrections order for intimidation, recklessly destroying property and common assault.
Powell pleaded guilty to the charges on the day of his hearing earlier this year.
Court documents state that about midnight on March 30, Powell came home after drinking at a friend's house.
He pushed the victim, who was six weeks' pregnant, onto the bed before punching her in the stomach and yelling abuse at her. Afterwards, he punched the glass on the wardrobe, causing his hand to bleed.
Powell then approached the victim and punched her twice in the head.
Police arrived a short time later and Powell fled over the property's back fence. However, he was arrested a short time later.
During a police interview, the victim said: "I'm scared of him and don't want him coming back."
In court, defence solicitor Selwyn Hausman argued for leniency based on Powell's lack of previous violent offences, intellectual functioning and mental health issues.
He said Powell was intellectually challenged, with his own mother describing him as "not the brightest thing".
Mr Hausman said a community service penalty was appropriate because Powell had depression and he had already taken rehabilitative steps.
Magistrate Christopher Halburd said that while his initial view was a jail sentence, he could not impose one because he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Powell knew the victim was six weeks' pregnant.
However, he warned Powell that "partners are not property" and that being drunk is not an excuse to assault others.
"This [intensive corrections order] is a jail sentence to be served in the community," Mr Halburd said.
Citing a previous case, Mr Halburd said: "Regrettably, violent conduct in intimate relationships is an entrenched social reality in our society."
Powell will carry out 100 hours of community service as part of his sentence.
He will also need to abstain from alcohol and illicit substances.
