Whitehaven man convicted for punching girlfriend in head

A man from Whitehaven named Paul Smith, aged 33, was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend during an argument in August. According to court reports, the incident occurred at Miss Leary’s home when the couple, who have had a history of violence, started arguing after drinking together. Miss Leary asked Smith to leave, at which point he punched her in the head with two clenched fists. This assault caused her injury, including a cut to the top left of her eye and a swollen cheek. Prosecutor Stuart Pattinson stated, "At this point, the defendant punched her around the head with two clenched fists." In his defense, Nicholas Taylor admitted that Smith was intoxicated, that they had been arguing, and that he suffered a momentary loss of control, resulting in him striking his partner. As a result of his actions, Smith was ordered to complete a 24-month supervision order and attend an alcohol-awareness course.