A man who assaulted his pregnant girlfriend and strangled her after the baby was born has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Sentencing Daniel Frostick, Judge Emma Peters described the assaults as “nasty, vicious, cruel and vile” and said he had left the victim feeling worthless.

As he was being sentenced, Frostick told the judge he was ashamed of his behaviour.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Frostick went to his partner’s Colchester home in December 2019 after drinking at a pub and kicked through the front door.

Charles Myatt, prosecuting, said Frostick had then dragged his girlfriend, who was four months pregnant, out of bed by her leg and thrown her on to a sofa before slapping her face and head causing a fat lip. 

He had also hit her on the right side of her stomach, leaving his partner concerned for her unborn child.

When she was eight months pregnant Frostick had hit her across the face five or six times, leaving her with another swollen lip.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our court and crime newsletter here.

In April 2020, a few weeks after the baby was born, Frostick had grabbed the victim by the arm, dragged her into the living room and thrown her on a sofa.

He had then pushed her on to the floor and put his hands round her neck and strangled her, said Mr Myatt.

Frostick, 35, of Westview, Dedham, admitted nine offences, including controlling and coercive behaviour, criminal damage and assault. 

He was given a 24-month prison sentence suspended for two years, 180 hours of unpaid work and ordered to attend a Building Better Relationships programme. 

He was also given a 35-day rehabilitation requirement and a 100-day alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement. 

He was also ordered to pay the victim £1,000 compensation and was banned from contacting her indefinitely.

Simon Gladwell for Frostick said his client was genuinely remorseful and hadn’t reoffended.

He now has a new partner who was expecting his child and was a changed man.