A MAN who deliberately scattered toys, clothes and food over the living room floor kicked his four and a half months pregnant wife in the stomach when she refused to clean up the mess.

Blackburn magistrates heard Zeshan Hussain had earlier said to his wife that he hoped she would lose her baby.

But the court was told the couple had since reconciled and his wife did not want a restraining order.

Hussain, 29, of Longshaw Lane, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Tahira Ashraf.

He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said the couple had been married for four years and had an 11-month-old child.

Mrs Ashraf said in the weeks before the incident they had been arguing over sharing the cleaning duties in the house. On the day they had been shopping and there was an incident which lead them to start bickering. It continued when they got home.

"There was a heated argument during which he said he hoped her unborn baby died," said Mrs Geldard. "He threw all the children's clothes and toys over the floor and then grabbed her by the arms, dragged her towards the mess and told her to clean it up."

Mrs Geldard said Mrs Ashraf managed to break free and pushed him.

"He responded by kicking her in the stomach which frightened her," said Mrs Geldard. "She was worried the unborn baby may have been caused some harm and went to the hospital for a check up."

Richard Prew, defending, said there had never been any violence in the relationship prior to this incident.

"In her statement his wife describes it as a kick with the sole of the foot and he says he wasn't wearing footwear," said Mr Prew.