Shrewsbury man punched text row woman in face

Aaron John Rowe was found guilty of assault by beating when he appeared at Telford Magistrates Court.

The court heard the attack in Shrewsbury followed an angry text exchange between Rowe's girlfriend and the victim, which triggered the defendant into going to the victim's house at around midday on August 3.

Mr Chris Coughlin, prosecuting, questioned the victim as to what happened when Rowe arrived at her property. She said: "I was sitting on a chair in the front garden when he came up to me. He said that I should watch what I'm saying or he would hit me – then he hit me on the left-side of my jaw. I was scared and cried, then I must have blacked out for a few seconds before shouting for my mom."

The victim's mother witnessed the attack the house and was called as a prosecution witness. She said: "I saw Rowe come into the garden, go straight over to my daughter and punch her, so hard that he knocked her off her chair."

Police were called and an officer statement noted a slight reddening of the victim's face. Rowe, of Stapleton Road, Shrewsbury, was arrested shortly after.

In court the victim produced three photos, taken a few days after the attack, that showed a bruise on her face where she said she had been hit. Mr Coughlin said when police first asked Rowe if he had been to the victim's house on the day of the attack he said no, but he changed his answer when he was he had been seen by witnesses.

Mr Chris Hughes for the Probation Service said Rowe, 26, was unemployed, unfit for work and had £20,000 in debts. He said the defendant suffered from mental health problems. Magistrates gave Rowe a three-month community order with a curfew. He was ordered to pay £1,200 in court costs and £100 compensation to the victim. He was also given an indefinite restraining order not to contact the victim.