Former professional boxer kicked pregnant partner in stomach
A former professional boxer who kicked his pregnant partner in the stomach during a terrifying attack has been jailed for 15 months.
Judge Martin Jackson told Dean Hickman he must have known there was a chance he could cause a miscarriage as he kicked her while she was on the floor.
The 39-year-old erupted during a row with the mother of his three children, who was 18 weeks pregnant with twins, launching a glass coffee table towards her before punching her several times in the face.
The expectant mother said she thought she was going to die during the sustained attack at their home in August, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.
Hickman won 15 of his 23 contests in the ring between 2002 and 2010 and fought for the English Lightweight title in 2007 on the undercard of a Carl Froch fight, a bout he lost.
The pair, who were said to have a "volatile" relationship, argued after the victim confronted Hickman, of Richard Street South, West Bromwich, over messages on his phone from another woman.
It was then that the thug exploded in rage and began to attack his partner of 12 years, explained Mr Edward Soulsby, prosecuting.
"An argument ensued. He told her the real problem was her and that he didn't want her nor her babies. He picked up a glass table and threw it at her. He then punched her in the face and head," he told the court.
"He took off his dressing gown and asked her if she wanted to go, adopting a boxing stance. He then punched her several more times in the head and face."
The victim dropped to the floor under the barrage of punches and was then kicked in the back and stomach, added Mr Soulsby.
Judge Mr Jackson said the attack was so serious he was not prepared to let Hickman, who pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing, walk free from court with a suspended sentence.
He told him: "Most alarmingly of all you dragged her to the ground and kicked her repeatedly. You kicked her to the back and stomach. She was 18 weeks pregnant at the time.
"It must have been apparent to you when you kicked her when she was pregnant with twins there was a serious chance of miscarriage."
The judge concluded: "Can I in all consciousness decide on a suspended sentence for a man who kicked a pregnant woman in a sustained assault, exposing her to a risk of miscarriage? I cannot justify a suspended sentence in this case."
Mr Michael Anning, defending, said: "He is truly remorseful and regrets what happened."
