2011: AMBLECOTE JUNKIE JAILED FOR PUNCHING PREGNANT GIRLFRIEND
AN Amblecote man has been jailed for punching his heavily pregnant girlfriend while demanding jewellery to sell for drugs.Wolverhampton Crown Court heard junkie Karl Newey hit Natalie Eccles again just days before their daughter was born because he wanted her mobile telephone.
Newey, of Trefoil Gardens, was sentenced to 15 months in prison after he admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and two charges of battery.
He was told by Recorder Stephen Thomas it was a "campaign of disgraceful conduct." The case was worrying because 30-year-old Newey's offending had escalated from theft and dishonesty to violence and added: "These offences represent a serious turn in your criminal behaviour." The court heard the first attack involved hitting his girlfriend in the head, perforating her eardrum.
In a third attack after the child was born, Newey hit Miss Eccles so hard it fractured his left hand as he told her to get jewellery from her mother's home.
Michael Garrett, prosecuting, said Miss Eccles was extremely vulnerable because of her condition and she had been badly affected by the three assaults.
The hearing was also told Miss Eccles was extremely upset because she was close to the end of her pregnancy and needed the phone in case of emergency while she also wanted it handy to take photographs of their baby.
Ekwall Tiwana, for Newey, said his client had been in the grip of his drug addiction since his teenage years and he had now reached a "crossroads in his life." Mr Tiwana added: "He knows he needs help if he is to address his drug problem and put right a life that is careering out of control.
He has resolved to change otherwise he will be a menace to society in the future." He said Newey had now split up with his former partner was full of remorse and shame for his actions.
The recorder also made a restraining order until further notice barring Newey from having any contact at all in the future with Miss Eccles.
