A man who threatened to cut out his pregnant partner's unborn baby and subjected her to four-years of abuse has dodged jail.
Ian Raymond Hindmarsh, 32, pleaded guilty to the campaign of assault and harassment between July 1, 2016 and November 14, 2020 at Teesside Crown Court.
Prosecutor Tabitha Buck explained one incident in which the 32-year-old became embroiled in a row with his ex-girlfriend over the paternity of her child in July 2016.
The defendant then flew into a rage and started smashing mirrors in the house and breaking the lats on the bed by stamping on them.
His terrified partner said he then threatened to murder her and cut out the baby, Teesside Live reports.
On September 9, 2017, the couple had another argument after drinking at a pub in Billingham.
When they got home Hindmarsh accused his then partner of fancying his brother and started calling her a s**g, wh**e, and sl*t.
Buck said: "He then pushed her over the sofa and strangled her from behind.
"Hindmarsh climbed on top of her and placed his hands around her neck. He then bit her cheek whilst continuing to strangle her."
In another incident, in Summer 2020, the victim had a friend over for drinks.
He complained about the noise the two were making but the victim told him to f*** off.
The court heard he then spat at her before hitting her and pushing her into their pool.
In one attack she blacked out and thought she was going to die.
Buck said the victim's mental health was severely impacted during the relationship and at one point she had planned to take her own life.
Mitigating, Aisha Wadoodi, said Hindmarsh was in a 'toxic relationship' and is a devoted father.
She also said he has completed a drug and alcohol course and a parenting course.
Sentencing, Judge Christopher Rose said despite the seriousness of the offending he was inclined to give Hindmarsh a suspended sentence due to it being his first conviction and the impacts on his children a prison sentence would carry.
He told the court: "A prison sentence would have a significant impact on your children and your ability to support them financially. It is also right to take into account your guilty plea and your remorse.
"Nevertheless I did at one point consider a custodial sentence. There were regular incidents of violence and aggression on your part towards the victim going as far back as July 2016."
Hindmarsh of Stanhope Road, Billingham, was handed a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
Judge Rose also ordered the defendant to complete a six-month programme, building better relationships sessions, 35 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work.
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