Man who punched girlfriend blamed pressures of being a dad

MAN WHO PUNCHED GIRLFRIEND BLAMED PRESSURES OF BEING A DAD

A man named Ronan Hooper, aged 22, who assaulted his girlfriend while they were engaged in a 'play fight,' has been sentenced.

According to reports, he claimed he reacted after the victim pushed him off the sofa and laughed at him.

The incident occurred at her home in Deighton on May 19.

Kirklees Magistrates' Court heard that police had previously responded to domestic incidents involving the couple ten times.

Shamalia Qureshi, the prosecutor, stated, "In the course of play fighting things got out of hand.

He punched her to the knee but says she pushed him off the sofa with her feet.

She was laughing at him, he was angry at this and that's why he decided to punch her to the knee in retaliation." The court was informed that while Hooper had no prior convictions, his history included ten police call-outs related to domestic incidents.

Hooper pleaded guilty to assault by beating and was already attending a domestic violence perpetrator program aimed at changing abusive behavior.

The judge sentenced Hooper to a 12-month community order including 20 rehabilitation activity days.

He must also pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £85.

The article notes that Hooper’s actions were influenced by the pressures of being a father, and he was living in Netherton at the time of sentencing.