A Low Head man who punched his then-girlfriend to the head and face multiple times in the presence of a child has been given a suspended jail sentence.
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Keith Stephen Walter Pulford, 28, pleaded guilty in the Launceston Magistrates Court on Tuesday to three counts of unlawful assault.
The court heard Pulford and his then-girlfriend were in a house in George Town in the early hours of July 27 when he asked her for sex, and was denied, before she made a personal revelation to him.
Pulford then punched her to the face and back of the head while a child was in the lounge room. The woman picked up the child and clothing and attempted to leave, before Pulford grabbed the woman and held her to the ground while pulling her up the hallway.
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She locked herself in a car, but Pulford threatened to ram it.
When a door was opened, Pulford punched the woman once to her face, causing cuts and abrasions.
He was arrested and charged on September 4, when he described the attack as a "heated situation" to police. He admitted to the offending in the police interview.
When Magistrate Ken Stanton suggested the potential for a three-month jail sentence, Pulford became visibly distressed in court which the magistrate took as an indication of remorse.
Mr Stanton said violence against women was unacceptable.
"No doubt the revelation was hurtful to you, but the response that you took to that was entirely inappropriate," he said.
"Family violence is always a serious matter... [it] creates fear and distress.
"Such violence is unfortunately prevalent and difficult to detect."
Pulford was convicted and sentenced to three months' jail, wholly suspended for 12 months.
He must complete 84 hours of community service, and a program to address domestic abuse.