Nicholas Watts jailed in Adelaide District Court for multiple violent assaults on pregnant partner

A drug addict who punched and choked his ‘terrified’ six-month pregnant partner until she couldn’t breath and her legs gave way claimed the unborn baby wasn’t his.

A man who bashed and choked his heavily pregnant partner until her legs gave way wants to start afresh after being released from jail.

Nicholas Ra Watts, 42, has shown no remorse for the violent assaults he inflicted on his partner on multiple occasions.

The Adelaide District Court heard Watts and his partner had been living together for about seven months at the time of the offending.

“In October 2020, the complainant was pregnant,” Judge Paul Slattery said during sentencing.

“She contends you are the father of this child, you are not convinced of your paternity of this child.”

The court heard Watts and the victim got into an argument in October, 2020.

“She woke to find you on top of her, having pulled the top of the bed quilt over her and placed your hands around her throat and after you released her, you punched her once to the left side of her rib cage,” Judge Paul Slattery said.

Watts assaulted the victim again in November, 2020.

“By this stage she was more than six months pregnant,” Judge Slattery said.

“You began verbally abusing her and then grabbed her by the throat and dragged her from the bed.

“You pinned her up against the wall by her throat with the consequence that she was unable to breath and her legs gave way.”

The court heard Watts also threw a bong at the victim which hit her on the face in December, 2020.

Nicholas Watts was jailed in the Adelaide District Court for multiple domestic violence offences. Photo: File

Watts, of Whyalla Norrie, had previously pleaded guilty to assault, choking and damaging property.

The court heard Watts had moved back to Whyalla to take care of his daughter and started using drugs again.

“After that time, the complainant informed you that she was pregnant with your child,” Judge Slattery said.

“You continued to use cannabis and amphetamine, lost focus on your daughter and fell into a drug downwards spiral.”

The court heard Watts plans to move to Port Lincoln upon his release and has a job unloading fishing vessels available to him.

“You have put all of your energy into relapse prevention and you do not feel the same risk from those you work with and the temptation to lapse back into the drug culture,” Judge Slattery said.

Judge Slattery said Watts, who is now in a new relationship, had shown no remorse for his actions.

“She was terrified of you and she did not make contact with the police initially because of her fear of you and your reaction,” he said.

Judge Slattery sentenced Watts to three years and five months jail, with a non-parole period of 18-months.

“The motivational causes for these offences appears to be disrespect for women, uncontrolled anger, control issues and a failure to take advantage of the opportunities that you have been given” he said.

“Parliament has recognised that domestic violence is one of the most urgent social needs in our society and it has led to terrible injuries and consequences.

The sentence was backdated to May 7.