Man kicked former partner in stomach six weeks after Caesarean Section

A man kicked his former partner in the stomach just six weeks after she had a Caesarean Section when she asked him to help with the washing up, a court has heard.

Ian Steele (21) of Rockdale Road, Cookstown appeared before Magherafelt Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with common assault.

The court heard that on May 31, police were called to an address in Maghera following a report of an assault.

When police arrived they spoke to the injured party who told them that the defendant, who was her partner at the time, had kicked her in the stomach.

The injured party told police that she had delivered a baby by Caesarean Section six weeks previous.

She said that Steele had been lying on the injured party’s bed when she asked him to help her with the washing up.

When he refused, the injured party lifted a Kindle from the defendant’s hands and he kicked her in the stomach causing her to fall to the ground and be sick, the court heard.

The injured party was then helped out of the room by her mother.

Steele then left the injured party’s parent’s home with his father.

The inured party attended hospital but no injuries were identified, the court heard.

Steele presented himself to Magherafelt Police Station the following morning where he was interviewed during which he made full admissions, the court heard.

Defence barrister Michael Forde said: “This was a terrible incident. This is a very hard working young man and this was totally out of character for him. He has no previous convictions but he will leave this court today with a permanent stain on his record. He had been living with his in-laws at the time of this incident and it has led to a conclusion in their relationship and very limited access to his four month-old son,” the court heard.

District Judge Noel Dunlop fined Steele £215 for the offence.