Bullying boyfriend punch girlfriend over Facebook row, court told (From The Northern Echo)
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Bullying boyfriend punch girlfriend over Facebook row, court told
9:00am Monday 4th March 2013 in News
By Neil Hunter
A BULLYING boyfriend punched his partner in the face during a drunken argument about postings on Facebook.
Jealous Kenny Hawkins threw her to the floor before laying into her, Teesside Crown Court was told.
His petite victim was left needing dental work as well as a cut lip, swollen face and bruising around her left eye.
Hawkins narrowly avoided prison but was handed a restraining order banning him from any contacting his ex.
He was also put on an electronic tag curfew for six months after he admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Judge Peter Bowers told him: "Let that be a reminder to you that drink and your temper don't go together very well."
The court heard how the couple had been boozing together at his home before the row erupted on August 24 last year.
During the argument, the victim slapped 28-year-old Hawkins and bit him on the arm, said prosecutor David Crook.
He pushed her to the floor, causing her to bang her face, then punched her as she struggled to get to her feet.
Victoria Lamballe, mitigating, said: "The defendant's relationship with the complainant was a short-lived one, but it was plainly a rather toxic one.
"Drinking to excess on that night appears to have led to jealous arguments between them and things got out of control."
Hawkins, of Stotfold Street, Hartlepool, got a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, with supervision.
The court heard how he was punished last July for throwing an ashtray at his girlfriend during another argument.
When he lived in Willington, County Durham, Hawkins was prosecuted for an incident involving a previous partner.
Judge Bowers refused to accept that the assault was out of character, and told him: "It's quite obvious you have a problem in drink."
Hawkins' victim told in a statement how she has become "a complete nervous wreck" and is frightened to be alone.
"I feel much safer with an adult in the house, and this is the only way I can sleep," said the mother-of-two.
"I want him to leave me alone. I'm so afraid of Kenny turning up at my house. I will no longer spend the night on my own."
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