Shropshire Star

Pregnant woman scalded when boyfriend threw kettle of boiling water during row

A pregnant woman suffered burns and scalding to her arm and back when her boyfriend threw a kettle of boiling water at her during a row at their home, a court heard.

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It was the second time that the woman had been the victim of 32-year-old David Bridgwater.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday Bridgwater was given an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Judge Peter Barrie said he hoped the defendant was appalled by what he had done. "While you did not intend for her to be injured you were reckless about what may happen by throwing the kettle," he said.

"She was clearly in a lot of pain and it was a dreadful thing to do and not the way to treat someone with whom you are having a relationship," said Judge Barrie.

In addition, he ordered Bridgwater to complete 80 hours unpaid work and to attend relationship and rehabilitation programmes. The court heard a reconciliation between the couple was unlikely but Bridgwater was ordered not to contact the victim without approval of his offender manager.

Bridgwater, an unemployed machine operator, of Wealdstone, Woodside, had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. The court heard he had previous convictions which included an offence of battery involving the same victim.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said the victim believed the defendant was trying to hide a quantity of tablets having threatened suicide.

While it was in his own interests the defendant was cross because the victim had interfered with what he was doing. The confrontation was in the kitchen where the kettle had just boiled and Bridgwater had picked it up and thrown it.

The victim, who was eight months pregnant, had turned her back to protect herself. "The boiling water splashed over her back and upper right arm causing some burns, scalding and blistering," he said.

Later the defendant was also admitted to hospital having made an attempt on his own life. Miss Alison Whalley, for Bridgwater, said there were mental health issues involving both parties and her client had problems with cannabis and alcohol but was remorseful and realised he needed help.

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