Jail for father-to-be who broke man's jaw

Leeds Crown Court heard Jamie Waters mistakenly over-reacted after

seeing his partner, who was 12 weeks' pregnant, unconscious on the ground fearing someone had assaulted her.

Yunus Valli, defending him, told the court Waters was aware his girlfriend had miscarried in the past and, overly protective in drink, acted aggressively when he saw the victim Nathan Lumb bending over her.

Mr Lumb was punched to the ground, knocking off a car mirror as he fell, and then while unconscious on the ground was kicked in the head by Waters.

Alisha Kaye, prosecuting, told the court the situation arose when Mr Lumb was at a party on January 24 at a house in Ings Road,

Heckmondwike. At about 1.30am he and others were outside chatting, drinking and smoking.

Waters and others with him walked by and his girlfriend went to speak to another girl at the party but she then fell from the kerb, losing her balance and ended up unconscious on the ground.

As Mr Lumb was bending down to check on the girl he was punched in the right side of his jaw, throwing him into a parked vehicle and on to the ground unconscious.

At hospital his jaw was found to have broken in two places and he had to have plates and pins inserted, which will have to remain for life. He was also off work for a month.

Waters, 26, of Mayman Close, Batley, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Sentencing him Judge Penelope Belcher said it was a "nasty incident" and he had "a string" of previous convictions for violence including a wounding and a robbery.