Teen who stamped on girlfriend walks free - court

10:36am Friday 9th May 2008

A MAN who "stamped" so hard on his girlfriend's stomach he tore her liver has walked free from court.

Alex Thomson, aged 18, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm to Rachel James during a row.

He also refused to call an ambulance for his partner, with whom he has a five-month-old daughter, after seriously injuring her.

The couple had been out for a family party at a social club in Wick and returned to their home in Elmley Castle, near Pershore, at 4pm, on Sunday, March 2.

Miss James, then 30, also has a five-year-old son from a previous relationship but both youngsters were at babysitters. Peter Parson, prosecuting, said she had a phone call from a friend at about 6pm which "annoyed" Thomson, then aged 17.

He said: "Mr Thomson then accused her of messing around with other men and became abusive, there was then pushing and grabbing on both sides."

Thomson, of Main Street, Pinvin, grabbed Miss James's left arm and twisted it up her back but she pushed him away.

Mr Parson said: "He became extremely angry, pushing her and knocking her over and she hit her head on a coffee table. She landed on her back shouting at him to get off her, but he became even more angry and was right over her.

"She grabbed his leg because she thought he might hit her and at that point he stamped on her stomach."

Miss James, screaming at Thomson to get off, was then violently sick and asked Thomson to call an ambulance but he refused.

She called her parents who came over and took her back to their home.

In pain, Miss James eventually saw a doctor two days later and she was diagnosed with a torn liver.

She spent 10 days recovering in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Andrew Childs, defending, said: "It was not a case of late-night get the other guy down on the street' violence, it was a momentary lapse on Alex's part."

He said that although Thomson, who has no previous convictions, should have called an ambulance he had felt remorse ever since he injured Miss James.

Worcester magistrates handed Thomson - in court with his parents - an 18-month community and supervision order, ordered him to do 300 hours unpaid work and pay £43 court costs.

He was also ordered to pay £2,000 compensation to Miss James.

Mr Parson added it was his understanding the couple wanted to get back together.

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