Nappy dispute led to man attacking partner at Leeds home
A sleeping man who was awoken to help change a nappy launched himself at his partner.
David Douthwaite admitted a charge of ABH during a sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court this week.
The 28-year-old, who has previous convictions for violence, was given a suspended sentence.
The court heard that the couple’s child had undergone a significant operation and on June 24, the child’s mother woke Douthwaite at their home in Middleton to ask him for assistance in changing the tot’s nappy.
The court heard he “launched into a series of oral threats”. He then attacked the woman.
Prosecutor Oishee Dey told the court during her opening of the case that Douthwaite had put his hand over her nose and mouth, restricting her breathing.
She said the woman was able to kick Douthwaite to get free and she ran into the bedroom.
The police arrived but Douthwaite had fled. The woman was found to have injuries across her head and body.
Douthwaite, of Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, was arrested three days later and said during his police interview that he was not guilty and was elsewhere at the time of the attack, although he refused to say where.
He has four previous convictions for seven offences, including two for violence.
Mitigating, Olivia Fraser said that Douthwaite had put forward an accepted basis of plea, that he admitted throwing a cigarette lighter at the woman and pulling her hoodie over her head and restricting her breathing.
She said he suffered traumatic experiences as a child, and had remorse for attacking his ex partner.
She said he wants to engage with support and had moved away from the Leeds area as a result of the incident.
Ms Fraser said he had no intention of rekindling the relationship with the woman.
Judge Simon Phillips KC described it as a “terrifying and frightening attack”.
He gave him a 14-month sentence, suspended for 24 months.
He ordered him to complete an accredited domestic-violence programme and 15 rehabilitation days with probation.
He was also put on a six-month GPS-tag-monitoring curfew and given a five-year restraining order.