Shane Raymond Baker, 41, North Booval, jailed for assaulting pregnant partner

A pregnant woman was left beaten and bloodied after her partner pushed her to the ground and hit her with a “barrage of fists’’, a court has heard.

A pregnant woman was left beaten and bloodied after her partner pushed her to the ground and hit her with a “barrage of fists’’, a court has heard.

An Ipswich man has been jailed for a “cowardly” attack on his pregnant partner which a magistrate described as a “grossly embarrassing” display of domestic violence.

North Booval mechanic Shane Raymond Baker, 41, pleaded guilty in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on December 22 to a string of 24 charges including assault occasioning bodily harm (DV), assault occasioning bodily harm while armed (DV) and common assault (DV).

The court heard the charges related to an assault on his partner earlier this year while she was about four months pregnant.

Acting Magistrate Paul Byrne said the woman’s phone battery had gone flat at the shops so she had been unable to contact him.

He said she returned to her home and found Baker had gained entry by unknown means.

Mr Byrne said the couple argued and Baker started assaulting her.

He pushed her twice, causing to fall backwards on to the floor.

She stood up but Baker punched her with a “barrage of closed fists in her face and body,” Mr Byrne said.

He said this caused her mouth to bleed as well as bruising and swelling to her face and body.

The court heard Baker then picked up a heavy brass lamp and threw it towards her, striking her in the face.

“It’s a somewhat cowardly attack on a vulnerable woman,” Mr Byrne said.

Baker’s other offences included various drug, driving and dishonesty matters.

Defence lawyer Matthew Fairclough said his client was an ex-army veteran but had been discharged on mental health grounds.

He said Baker suffered from mental health issues, including PTSD, which he attempted to self-medicate with drugs.

Mr Byrne told Baker his string of offences should be a “gross embarrassment” to him.

He said Baker’s criminal history was relevant and clearly “more than just a casual lapse here and there,” with about 50 convictions.

Baker received a head sentence of 18 months’ jail, with 157 days in presentence custody declared time served.

He will be released on parole on January 14, 2024.