A man kicked his ex-girlfriend in the face twice after she told him she had spent the night at another man’s house.
Stephen Finnigan, 25, had been in a relationship for about a year with the girl before they broke up. They then had an on-off relationship for about two weeks.
Paul Cummings, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court said on Sunday, May 30, 2021, Finnigan, of Lindsay Street, Burnley, was on bail when he texted his ex-partner constantly asking where she was.
When she replied sometime later, she told him she had spent the night at a man’s house and he became ‘increasingly upset’, driving to her parent's house to speak to her.
She arrived back home at about 2pm and Finnigan was waiting for her.
Mr Cumming’s said: “They spoke and rather than going into the house, they decided to walk on a quiet road.
“During the time they were walking together, they argued and without warning, he kicked her to the face.
“She put her hand up to her face and he kicked her a second time.”
She fell to the ground during the attack but got herself up and tried to get away from him.
She headed home and drove straight to the hospital where a cut to her forehead had to be repaired with steri-strip.
Her hand, where she had protected herself, was also swollen and she struggled to do anything for weeks.
She reported the attack to the police the next day and Finnigan was arrested.
Mitigating, Neil Howard, said Finnigan was deeply ashamed of what he had done, with domestic violence being a ‘taboo subject’ in his family.
Finnigan described the relationship between the pair as ‘turbulent’ and that he has since stopped all contact with her.
Mr Howard said Finnigan now has ‘stability’ in the form of a new partner and a job and is making improvements to his life.
Sentencing, Recorder Jon Close said: “She had moved on. She told you that and you became enraged.
“She made it perfectly clear she did not wish to see you but you persisted nonetheless.
“The violence that followed should cause you nothing but shame.
“It was a year before she could even begin to move on – you did that.
“You expressed your jealousy and anger through violence and abuse.”
Finnigan, who pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and malicious communication, was handed a one-year, nine-month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He must also complete 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and a building better relationships programme.
