ARTURS SELAGS FROM NORTHAMPTON SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ASSAULTS ON PREGNANT PARTNER AND BABY
In a series of disturbing incidents that took place in Northampton, Arturs Selags, a Latvian national, was convicted of multiple violent assaults against his former partner, including attacks during her pregnancy and while she was caring for their newborn child.The court proceedings revealed a pattern of aggressive and malicious behavior that spanned several months, culminating in a prison sentence that reflects the severity of his actions.
Selags, who resides on Monk Park Road in Northampton, appeared before Northampton Crown Court in March 2020 to admit to five counts of assault and one count of malicious communications.
Despite being ordered to complete a 24-month community order, he failed to comply with the supervision requirements, which led to further legal action.
His failure to engage with probation officers was attributed to a deep-seated hostility towards UK authorities, with a probation officer describing his attitude as 'hostile' and driven by a 'hatred for professional services in the UK.' On Thursday, February 18, Northampton Crown Court revisited Selags' case, re-sentencing him for his original crimes and for breaching the court order.
The court heard detailed accounts of the assaults, beginning with an incident on January 1, 2019.
On that day, Selags returned home at around 7 a.m.
after a night of heavy drinking, suffering from a hangover.
He accompanied his pregnant partner, who was three and a half months pregnant at the time, to a shop.
When she asked him to carry a heavy bottle, he responded with swearing, and upon returning home, he pushed her onto the sofa and began to strangle her.
The violence continued in June of that year during a visit to register their newborn's birth.
When their baby started crying, Selags swore at his partner and slapped her across the face.
Later, as she sat on the bed feeding the child, he grabbed her throat and started to strangle her again.
During this attack, he also physically assaulted her by hitting her face and head, and then packed her belongings into a suitcase, telling her to leave.
However, when the baby cried, he allowed her back into the home.
The violence escalated further on July 10, when Selags and his partner argued over her plans to visit family in Latvia.
During this dispute, he struck her with an umbrella so forcefully that it broke, causing injuries to her leg.
He then brandished a kitchen knife, threatening to kill her if she attempted to leave.
The court heard that this incident was driven by his controlling and violent tendencies.
On August 27, Selags' aggression was fueled by withdrawal from cannabis, which he could not find at home.
When their baby woke up, he began swearing at his partner, physically assaulting her, and hitting her head on the floor.
Prosecutor Samuel Lowne stated that Selags was demanding respect from her during this episode.
The final assault occurred on September 14, 2019.
After telling his partner she should 'get a job,' he began hitting her in the head and chest, pushed her onto the bed, and kicked her in the stomach.
He then wrapped his hands around her neck to strangle her.
Following this, he left to buy cigarettes, returning to find the baby crying, and struck his partner with a cardigan.
He then ordered her to prepare lunch before leaving for work, sending a threatening text message that read: 'I beg you before I would murder you to think about the family, how to pay bills, how to look after the house and how to love and care for a man.' After the incidents, the victim reported the abuse to a social worker.
Selags was subsequently arrested and charged.
During the investigation, he sent a threatening message to his partner, stating he would 'burn' her and her mother.
The court heard that the victim was isolated in the UK, with most of her family and friends residing in Latvia, which added to her fear and vulnerability.
She had been subjected to repeated attacks while pregnant or shortly after giving birth, leading her to fear for her life.
Although Selags had no previous criminal convictions, he requested that his prison sentence be suspended so he could return to Latvia.
Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking condemned his behavior, describing it as 'appalling' and emphasizing his contempt for the probation service.
She noted his failure to genuinely engage with the supervision process and expressed her surprise that probation officers persisted in working with him.
Considering his guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and the additional challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Lucking sentenced Selags to four months in prison.
He will serve half of this sentence before being released on licence.
The judge also expressed her concern that Selags poses a significant risk to his partner and child and recommended that social services in the UK coordinate with their counterparts in Latvia to monitor his conduct and ensure the safety of the victims.
