She was punched in the head and mouth, a court heard
Mark Ward pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A heavy drinking session ended in violence when a bad-tempered Bridlington man suddenly “lashed out” at his ex-girlfriend and viciously punched her in the head and mouth. The woman later managed to flee from the house but she was left “extremely distressed” by what happened, Hull Crown Court heard.
Mark Ward, 31, of Bridlington, admitted assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm. Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said that Ward and the woman were previously in a relationship but they had been separated for about two years at the time of the assault. “They remained on good terms,” said Mr Welch.
After midnight, Ward was in drink because he had earlier been threatened by some men on the street. He and his ex-girlfriend had both been drinking.
Ward pestered the woman for sex but she refused. “He lashed out, punching her in the head and mouth,” said Mr Welch. She suffered a bump on her forehead and a swollen lip.
Ward’s parents came into the room and the woman was able to flee. “She arrived home extremely distressed,” said Mr Welch. There was “toxicity” in the relationship.
Ward had convictions for violence-linked offences, mostly recently in 2017 when he was given a 16-week suspended prison sentence for harassment causing fear of violence.
Billy Torbett, mitigating, said: “He wishes to express his deepest remorse.” This was not only to the court but to the woman.
Ward had pleaded guilty. He was not working and he was living with his parents.
Recorder Bryan Cox KC told Ward: “This was a very serious assault and the courts are always determined to do what they can to protect women from domestic violence and that’s what this was. You have kept out of trouble in the meantime.”
Ward was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence and 30 days’ rehabilitation. He was given a five-year restraining order.
“You must understand that if you do anything like this in the future, you will end up getting locked up for a significant period,” said Recorder Cox.
“You have been given a chance today. If you commit any offence during the two-year period of the suspended sentence, you will end up serving it.
“You have narrowly avoided getting locked up today so make sure there is nothing like this in the future.”