Jailed for pushing girlfriend into fire

A MAN pushed his girlfriend into an electric fire and threw a cup at her, scarring her for life, after an argument over their dog.

James Fenwick, 30, was in bed with his partner when their pet jumped up beside them.

When the 19-year-old woman tried to remove the dog from the bed, Fenwick lost his temper and kicked her causing her to fall into an electric heater.

Fenwick told the woman: "It's your own fault."

When the teenager told him their relationship was over, he became even angrier and more violent.

Prosecutor Mark Kendall said: "He threw a ceramic lamp and it smashed by her feet.

"He then picked up a cup and motioned to throw it at her, causing her to flinch. He then threw it and it hit her on her temple, causing indescribable pain and she fell to the ground.

"Blood was pouring down her face and she was lapsing in and out of consciousness."

She then went to hospital and her cut was stitched but she has been left scarred for life after burning her arm on the fire.

Fenwick pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court to causing grievous bodily harm.

The pair had been in a relationship since 2009.

The court heard he had previously thrown keys at the woman, who weighs just six stone, and had slapped, kicked and pulled her hair. The final attack happened at his home in Bathurst Street, west Hull, on April 14.

Fenwick's barrister Steven Garth said his client was pleading guilty on the basis he did not intend for the cup to hit her.

He said: "He hadn't planned to throw the cup, he was angry. It was spur of the moment.

"He said he was sorry, he cleaned her wounds and he took her to hospital.

"He was hoping they might be able to be reconciled but, clearly, that is not to be the case.

"It was an incident that should never have occurred, it is inexcusable. He feels ashamed."

The court heard Fenwick has previous convictions for domestic violence against partners, including wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He threw a beer glass in one woman's face and, on another occasion, assaulted a woman causing her to suffer a fractured cheekbone.

Judge Mark Bury jailed Fenwick for two years, telling him: "You had been arguing over a dog, it seems, and you then kicked out at her, knocking her into a fire, causing painful and significant burns.

"An argument ensued and you threw a cup at her which caused a deep wound and permanent scars.

"You have a significant history of serious domestic violence.

"This is intolerable offending and a significant sentence must follow."

The judge has also given him a restraining order, banning him from contacting the girl or her mother for five years.