Newbury man punches the mother of his child in the face

Man says he is sorry after attack leaves victim with bloodied lip and bruised face

A NEWBURY man who hit the mother of his child has been sentenced.

Newbury magistrates heard how 25-year-old Zak Wiltshire, of Craven Road, slapped Lauren Baker so hard across the face that it split her lip and bruised her cheek.

Mr Wiltshire and Miss Baker, who have a 19-month-old son together, had separated two days before the incident.

Jennifer Lewin, defending, said that the argument started when Mr Wiltshire arrived at the address they once shared to drop off their son, who he had looked after the previous night.

Helen Waite, prosecuting, said that during the argument, Mr Wiltshire pushed her. Miss Baker pushed him back and demanded he leave the house – but he pushed her again,

He pushed her a third time, when she had her back turned to him, causing her to fall before slapping her across the face, busting her lip and bruising her cheek. When he saw her lip was bleeding, he instantly apologised to her.

He later sent a text saying “Lauren I am sorry, I never wanted any of this. It is so hard to know we are over. I know it is unforgiveable and I am really sorry.”

In mitigation, Miss Lewin said: “He wants his family back and he is doing everything he can to achieve that.

“He recognises that he has a problem with controlling his anger and is attending regular anger-management meetings. He has turned himself around.”

Mr Wiltshire pleaded guilty to assault by beating at a hearing on November 5.

Magistrates made him subject to an 18-month community order with a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was not made to pay any compensation because magistrates “did not feel it was appropriate if they were getting back together”.

He was made to pay a statutory surcharge of £60, a criminal court charge of £150 and £85 costs.