A man attacked his pregnant ex-girlfriend with an extension lead following a long standing abusive relationship in an attack that left a plug shaped bruise on her body.
Joshua Hibbert, 30, had been in a relationship with the woman, which she described as ‘good’ though said they occasionally argued.
However, after she fell pregnant, she described there being a ‘significant change’ in the relationship, with Hibbert repeatedly shouting at her, wanting to argue, beat her and throwing objects at her.
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Minshull Street Crown Court heard of a number of incidents in which Hibbert was seen to attack his ex in the street, in front of other people.
Hibbert, of Droylsden, has since pleaded guilty to offences of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating. He was given a sentence of 27 weeks in jail, suspended for two years.
Prosecutor Adam White outlined an incident in which he was dragging her by the hair in late 2020.
“One witness was with his partner when he saw her and the defendant stood outside the entrance to the building,” he said.
“He witnessed the defendant taking hold of her hair and pulling her around with his left hand.
“He could hear her shouting 'get off me, get off me, Josh'.
“As soon as the defendant noticed the others were watching, he tried to make light of it and pretended he was messing about.”
Later in October last year he was seen again by the same man arguing with his partner.
During the course of the argument, Hibbert punched the woman to the head, causing her to stagger backwards.
In a final incident outlined to the court, the prosecutor explained that Hibbert had hit his ex with an extension lead.
“He hit her with it and it caused an imprint on her leg,” he said.
“She described him using this lead to hit her on the back, which left marks on her body.
“Her neighbour and friend later noticed prong marks and a prominent bruise on her body in the shape of a plug.”
In a victim personal statement, the woman said: “It makes me feel rubbish thinking that someone who’s meant to love me, hurts me.
“I feel more positive now I have things in place to help me.”
The prosecutor added that the woman is currently considered as a missing person by the police.
Hibbert was said to have 20 previous convictions for 29 offences including previous assaults against a former partner.
Mitigating, Michael Johnson said his client has an ‘extremely unattractive’ criminal record.
“He has been in custody for the equivalent of an 18-month sentence,” he said.
“He hurts someone, goes to prison, comes out and hurts someone again.
“There is a new proposal for an intervention.
“The community will be better served by an intervention aimed at breaking this depressing cycle.”
Sentencing him, Recorder Kate Cornell said: “This was a corrosive and toxic relationship between you which culminated in your swinging an extension lead at her, causing her bruising which was seen on her body by her neighbour and friend.”
Hibbert, of Fairfield Avenue, was sentenced to 27 weeks imprisonment which was suspended for two years.
He must also complete the Building Better Relationships Programme.
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