A man gave his pregnant girlfriend a nose bleed after slapping her in the face during an argument, a court heard.

Ioan Listar was "ashamed" of his behaviour and broke down in tears when interviewed by police.

The 30-year-old appeared before Bournemouth Crown Court to be sentenced on Wednesday, August 23, having previously admitted assault by beating.

Judge Jonathan Fuller KC said the defendant became "increasingly drunk" throughout the day on April 22.

The offender returned home, confronted his partner about why she had not answered his calls earlier in the day and assaulted her.

Prosecuting, Rob Griffiths said the couple had been in a relationship since December 2021, moving in together in May last year.

Mr Griffiths told the court during the relationship there had been a "degree of jealousy on the part of the defendant alleging she might be seeing other men".

The complainant did not answer the defendant's calls while she had been at work on the day of the assault.

When she returned home, Listar was drinking alcohol and having a barbecue with a friend.

There was an argument between the couple, the court heard.

Mr Griffiths said the friend left and the defendant also went out at around 2pm, not returning until 8.30pm.

The arguing resumed, with the defendant described as being “even more intoxicated”.

“He swore at her and he hit her in the face,” Mr Griffiths said.

The defendant said this was a slap. It was sufficiently hard to cause the complainant’s nose to bleed.

She was described as “upset and distressed”. Listar tried to help clean her up, the court heard.

The woman got in contact with her mother, who called police.

Mr Griffiths said: “He broke down in tears in the course of the (police) interview.”

The court heard the complainant was due to give birth to the defendant's child later this year.

Mitigating, Mark Florida-James said it was an incident “caused by alcohol consumption”. he said his client had abstained from alcohol since the assault.

“He was embarrassed and ashamed by the way he behaved,” Mr Florida-James said.

Listar, of Hambledon Road, Bournemouth, had faced further allegations but these were not proceeded with by the prosecution after the complainant submitted a statement of retraction, Mr Griffiths said.

Judge Fuller KC handed the defendant a three-year community order, with a requirement to complete a Building Better Relationships programme.