James Iho-Terangi Stewart, a 40-year-old farmer from Flemington, pleaded guilty to one charge of assault with a blunt instrument and one charge of assault with intent to injure, when he appeared in front of Judge Courtney at a recent sitting of the Waipukurau District Court.
At the time of the offences Stewart was living with the defendant, 21-year-old Nikita Scott, who he had been in a relationship with for one year.
Ms Scott was pregnant and about a week away from giving birth.
According to Police summary of facts, on Saturday August 31 Stewart returned to the house after working on the farm. He became angry with Ms Scott about the state of the house.
His verbal abuse of Ms Scott escalated into a prolonged physical assault. Stewart punched the victim about the body and dragged her by the hair. He also stomped on her head as she lay on the floor. Ms Scott suffered bruising and grazes to her face and body.