Ex-serviceman from Burnley attacked his pregnant wife (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ex-serviceman from Burnley attacked his pregnant wife

4:00pm Saturday 23rd February 2013 in News

AN EX-SERVICEMAN who attacked his pregnant wife of three weeks walked free from court - so he can get the help a judge said he needed.

Burnley Magistrates Court had heard how Andrew William Monks, 30, had kicked Samantha Monks in the head and thrown a pair of steel toe-capped boots at her in the outburst at their home, on January 27.

The hearing was told how Mrs Monks was injured at the hands of her new husband, but the pair both wanted to reconcile.

The defendant was sent on a course addressing domestic violence issues and told the court he had also turned to the veterans' organisation Salute for help.

Monks, of Barleyfield Mews, Burnley, admitted assault by beating, damage and obstructing a police officer. He was given a two year community order, with supervision and the Building Better Relationships programme and was told to pay a £60 victim surcharge.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders, who said Monks's behaviour had been extremely unpleasant and unacceptable, told the court:" He needs help." The district judge said he was pleased that the defendant was engaging with Salute. He told him :" I think they have the particular insight which you need." District Judge Sanders added:" But make sure you give this your all."

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said at the time the defendant and victim had only been married three weeks and she was nine weeks pregnant.

There had been some issues with his drinking in the past. Monks had returned home in the afternoon quite drunk, words had been exchanged and at about 7pm when the defendant said he was returning to associates in Blackburn, his wife had told him :" Well, you go then."

Mr Robinson said Monks had gone towards the victim and kicked her in the head, causing injury. He then threw his work boots, hitting her head. One boot hit the fire, dislodging coal and damaging the carpet.

Sara Lyle, for Monks, said to his credit he said he had wanted to plead guilty at the outset. She added:" I know that both parties want to be reconciled."

District Judge Sanders, who had read a letter from Mrs Monks, who was in the public gallery, said many people charged with similar offences pleaded not guilty on the basis nobody would turn up to give evidence, but the defendant had done the right thing.

He told him :" You clearly have some very good points and you clearly have a problem which you need to address."