Derbyshire woman slapped partner after he said he 'hoped the baby would die'

Ashleigh Hopkinson-Tomlinson, 26, admitted common assault following the incident at her home in Cavendish Street, on December 5, Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court was told on Thursday, March 5.

The court was told that the mother-of-three had temporarily separated from her long-term partner, Joe Maltby, and entered into a relationship with another man, becoming pregnant with her fourth child.

Prosecuting, Emma Heath Tilford said: “They had been in a long relationship and had three children together but there were issues arising in December when she became pregnant with another child. There was an argument about the baby and how it wasn’t Mr Maltby’s and I think it’s fair to say that he said some nasty things about the baby and as a result she struck him. The children were present when the incident occurred. She told police they had started to have an argument, and when he said he wished the baby was dead, she slapped him in the face.”

Mitigating, John Wilford said: “When that relationship broke down the parties became separated and she entered into a relationship and became pregnant with that gentleman’s child.

“Mr Maltby had gone to the house to collect some tools and he accepts that he has said some fairly hurtful things.”

He added that the couple are now working to reestablish their relationship.

Magistrates gave Hopkinson-Tomlinson a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered her to pay £85 costs and a £21 victim surcharge.