Telford man threw girlfriend to floor in row over boxing match

Craig Baugh, 31, and his partner had caught a taxi to a friend's house with the intention of staying up and watching the eagerly-anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao – which went out at around 6am UK time on May 3 this year.

But Shrewsbury Crown Court heard Baugh lost his cool when at around 5am, his girlfriend said she wanted to call it a night before the big fight had even started.

Prosecutor Mr Peter Cooke said that the argument turned nasty in the street outside when she went out, telling him that she was calling a taxi.

"They had both been drinking," he said.

"She announced she was going to ring for a taxi. He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her backwards."

Mr Cooke said the victim made a "heavy contact" with the ground and was left with bruising and swelling, as well as snapping one of her teeth in half.

The court heard that Baugh, of Market Street, Wellington, was arrested and initially went peacefully – but once at the police station he attempted to headbutt and bite officers.

He also spat a mixture of saliva and blood at them.

The prosecutor said the attack had a long-term impact on his victim.

"It caused her a lot of anxiety," he said. "She was afraid to leave her mother's house for around three weeks after the incident because she was scared about bumping into him.

"She was also reluctant to smile and was very self-conscious about her teeth."

Mr John Perry, for Baugh, said the pair were no longer together and his client was now in a new relationship which was "going well for him".

He described Baugh as a "hard working individual" and said that it was a "volatile" relationship between Baugh and his former girlfriend.

Baugh admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the woman and two charges of assaulting a police officer.

He was sentenced by Judge Peter Barrie to a total of 22 weeks in prison, but the term was suspended for a period of 18 months.

Baugh was also ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim and to take part in a "building better relationships" work programme.

He was also made subject to a restraining order preventing him having any contact with his victim for five years.