A BARROW man slapped his partner across the face when she was 11 weeks pregnant with his child.

On Thursday, Harry Ridley, of Buxton Street, Barrow, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assaulting Kayleigh Porter before magistrates at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard that on 25 March, Ridley, 34, had been drinking alcohol throughout the day and consumed an entire bottle of whiskey.

During an argument with his partner of five years, Ridley damaged Ms Porter’s light shade, lamp and ceiling light.

He also slapped Ms Porter across the face, but did not cause any sustaining physical injuries to his partner, the court heard.

Ridley was represented by defence solicitor Maureen Prescott.

Ms Prescott explained that the incident was a “one-off”.

The defence solicitor also outlined that the couple are now looking to reconcile following the incident.

Ms Prescott argued: “A financial penalty would allow the family to get back together and prepare for the baby.

“They do want to get back together and hope for reconciliation.

“The victim retracted her statement and she is now 18 weeks pregnant.

“This was a one-off offence that happened.

“There is six of one and half a dozen the other.”

Ridley, who has two children from a previous relationship, was issued with a community order curfew and £180 fine by magistrates.

The chairman of the bench said: “For this offence you will be subjected to a community order with a requirement that is subjected to a curfew from seven in the evening until seven in the morning daily for a period of eight weeks that is with immediate effect.”

Ridley has six previous convictions and eight offences.

He last appeared at Preston Crown Court in 2012 for another violence charge.