A man who attacked his pregnant girlfriend has avoided jail.
Peter Dougal, 32, repeatedly punched the woman at her home in Oldham while she was 13 weeks pregnant.
She suffered a fractured eye socket during the attack, in which she was struck to the face.
Dougal, from Oldham, received a suspended sentence after a judge said he could be rehabilitated and heard he was remorseful.
Minshull Street Crown Court heard that Dougal had been in a relationship with the woman for about 18 months.
On December 19 last year, the couple had been to a pub where they played pool.
At the pub, Dougal became involved in an argument with other drinkers, prosecutor Andrew Mackintosh said. They left and returned to her home at about 9pm. He apologised for his behaviour in the pub.
Dougal later got out some cannabis, and his girlfriend asked where he had obtained it. They began to argue, and she told Dougal to leave.
He grabbed hold of her face and started to drag her around the kitchen, the court heard.
She screamed, hoping neighbours would hear her and intervene.
Dougal threw her to the floor, and he punched her to the face 'with all his force', Mr Mackintosh said.
She hit him on the head with a coffee cup to try and get him off, but he continued to punch her to the face, causing her to 'black out'.
He left but returned later to pick up some keys, 'behaving as if nothing had happened', prosecutors said.
She suffered 'heavy bruising' to her face, but no underlying injuries.
Doctors later told her she had suffered a fractured eye socket, but she didn't undergo any further treatment.
She didn't report the attack immediately.
Dougal apologised, but after his behaviour 'didn't improve' she called in the police on Boxing Day.
He was arrested the same day, and said 'I'm ashamed of myself' while being led away by officers.
The court heard the child is due to be born next month.
In a statement taken by police on Boxing Day, the woman said she thought she was 'going to die' during the incident.
At that time she said she didn't 'want him in my life anymore'.
The court heard that she now wants to continue their relationship, and for Dougal, who has no previous convictions, to be part of their child's life.
She declined a restraining order.
Defending, Kimberley Morton said Dougal has cut down on his drinking and has sought help from health organisations.
She said Dougal, who previously worked as a site manager on construction sites, believes he 'needs to sort himself out' before embarking on a relationship.
Sentencing, Judge Tina Landale accepted that Dougal is 'truly remorseful' and said that he can be rehabilitated.
He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years.
He must complete a six month alcohol treatment program, 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a building better relationships program and observe a curfew from 8pm to 6am for two months.
Dougal, of Egerton Street, Oldham, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
