JAILED: Man hit partner as she cradled baby

Dwayne James, 25, also assaulted, racially abused and spat at police officers and hospital staff following his arrest.

He was given 12 months prison and a five-year restraining order against his partner and her mother. He pleaded guilty to common assault, racial common assault, racially aggravated assault on an officer and racially aggravated harassment.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how his ex was living with her parents in Great Barr when he went to see her on October 19. James had been drinking heavily and after taking the legal high known as a Black Mamba became violent. The court heard he punched his girlfriend in the back and face while she held on to her baby, who was only a few months old. James of Hatfield Road, Birmingham, then grabbed her mother by the neck and pushed her. When police arrived he assaulted and racially abused them before being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, where he spat at officers and abused medical staff. The court heard how it took James four days to completely recover from the legal high while he was being monitored in hospital.

Judge Michael Challinor, sentencing, said: "You had too much to drink and took this drug, which led you to behaving this way. It was four days before the effects wore off and you had no recollection of what took place." Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said James had punched his partner in the back several times while laughing and smiling. He said he went on to punch her in the face and pushed her backwards while she had her youngest in her arms.

James attempted to headbutt a police officer when he tried to make an arrest but he was retrained and put in handcuffs. He then started swearing and racially abusing a second officer before being taken to hospital. The court heard how James went on to harass staff. Mr Ian Gold, defending, said the legal high and drink had had a dire effect on James.