A Birmingham man punched his girlfriend in the face during a row over him not getting breakfast, a court has heard. Jordan Gayle, 45, attacked his partner at his home in Acocks Green on October 21, 2025.
When his partner tried to flee the address, Gayle grabbed her in an attempt to stop her, leaving the victim with a scratch. The incident escalated from a dispute about breakfast, as prosecutors outlined in Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
Court proceedings and guilty plea
Gayle, of Palmers Way, Acocks Green, appeared for sentencing on Friday, July 17, after previously pleading guilty to assault by beating. Shajah Javed, prosecuting, told the court: "The victim said she had been assaulted at his address over an argument about him not getting breakfast. [Gayle] punched her to the face. She fled the address. He tried to grab her to stop her leaving, causing a scratch."
The victim initially contacted police but later withdrew her support for the case. She then provided a further statement detailing the assault, which allowed the prosecution to proceed.
Defence arguments and mitigation
Alum Zeb, defending, said his client accepted assaulting his partner, whom he had been with for "a very long time." Zeb stated: "He accepts he assaults her. She withdraws her statement and then makes a statement again. He's been with her a very long time. They've had a good relationship. She still wants to be with him, as I understand."
Seeking leniency, Mr Zeb described the assault as neither "prolonged" nor a "sustained attack," with the victim left with "minor physical injuries." He also noted that Gayle had a previous record but had not committed an offence in the last 12 years.
Sentencing and community order
Gayle, wearing a black hoodie, was sentenced to a 24-month community order. He was also ordered to pay £314 in court costs, consisting of £200 in costs and a £114 surcharge. Sentencing, magistrate Michael Ward told him: "The community order will run for 24 months. Bearing your eventual guilty plea in mind, we're halving court costs to £200 with a surcharge of £114. We understand you're on Universal Credit, so it will be reduced from that."
The court emphasized the seriousness of domestic violence, even in cases where the victim may wish to reconcile. The community order includes requirements to prevent further offending.
