A 29-year-old man has been handed a 15-month community order after punching his partner in the face during an argument at a Birmingham hotel, leaving her with a swollen and black eye.
Birmingham Magistrates Court heard on August 17 how a housekeeper heard a commotion while the defendant and his partner were spending time together in a hotel in the city. The housekeeper then noticed the victim had a swollen and black eye.
Single punch after argument over money
Ms Mehnaz Mallik, prosecuting, told the court the victim had received a "single punch" after the couple had an argument. The dispute was over money which belonged to the defendant, according to his solicitor.
During the altercation, the victim went into the bathroom, and the defendant "pushed his way in" before punching her, the court heard. The prosecutor noted there was no victim impact statement or personal statement regarding the incident.
Ms Mallik said the partner had reported a headache, swelling to the right eye and bruising to the face after the incident. It was noted the woman had "no bone injuries."
Guilty plea at earliest opportunity
In defence, solicitor Mrs Jan said her client had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at the "earliest opportunity." She told the court: "This [argument] was over money which belonged to him. The victim is not supportive of a prosecution and has not provided a victim impact statement. He [the defendant] had no previous convictions."
Mrs Jan added the defendant "suffers from mental health issues and he lacks consequential thinking."
Community order and rehabilitation requirements
Sentencing, the bench of magistrates handed the defendant a community order lasting 15 months, which will expire in November 2027. The defendant also received 25 rehabilitation requirement days (RAR), trial monitoring for four months (120 days), a £300 fine, a £120 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.
The magistrate addressed the defendant directly, saying: "I know you are not doing unpaid work but being at home will not be helping your mental health. Get out and about and try and alter your mind set."
