Dad assaults Mom during child custody exchange (United Kingdom)

Mothers and children should not be at risk of assault just so a violent father with a drug problem can have his "rights."

Dad is identified as SIMON WRIGHT.

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Father-assaulted-ex-held-young-child/story-25935332-detail/story.html

Newcastle dad assaulted ex while she held toddler

By The Sentinel | Posted: January 28, 2015

A FATHER assaulted the mother of his child as she went to take the youngster from his home.

Simon Wright shoved and grabbed at Stevi-Ann Robinson after she told him he was not having their child overnight.

The 25-year-old pushed her on a sofa as she held the toddler and tried to pull the infant from her arms.

He then snatched her keys and phone before twisting her free arm behind her back.

The defendant then forcibly kissed Miss Robinson on the lips leaving her feeling unnerved.

Now Wright has been handed a community order by North Staffordshire magistrates.

Prosecutor Steve Knowles said the defendant and Miss Robinson were in a relationship for two years but separated in August.

She visited his home on November 3 to drop off their child so he could have contact.

Mr Knowles said: “She arrived at 5.30pm. Everything seemed fine. However she heard him having a conversation which centred on drugs.

"She challenged him about that and said she was not happy to leave her child in that situation. She started to get the child ready to leave and told him he was not having the child overnight.

“She was sat on the sofa with her child in her arms. As she stood up he pushed her back on the sofa. He tried to get the child out of her arms. The child started to scream. He let go. She stood and went to leave but he stood in the doorway and said she was not leaving. She took out her phone to call the police and he snatched her phone and keys from her. She felt frightened and trapped.”

Miss Robinson tried to walk past with the child but Wright grabbed her free arm and twisted it behind her back, pulling her towards him.

Mr Knowles said: “He shouted in her face that he was not going to let her leave. She was very tearful. He forcibly kissed her on the lips. She did not have time to move. She kicked him in the shin and asked him what he was doing. He said, ‘You love it really’. This unnerved her and made her skin crawl.”

The defendant’s mother arrived and Miss Robinson was able to leave after Wright produced her phone from his underwear.

Miss Robinson was left with a sore arm, which she described as a dull ache.

Wright, of Cooper Street, Newcastle, denied assault but was convicted after a trial earlier this month.

Simon Dykes, mitigating, said the defendant has recognised he did not behave appropriately.

Mr Dykes said: “He dealt with the situation very immaturely. He would benefit from engaging with the probation service.”

Magistrates sentenced Wright to a 12-month community order with supervision and nine sessions of structured intervention to address domestic abuse.

He was fined £50 and must also pay £620 costs and a £60 surcharge.

Magistrates did not make a restraining order as a non-molestation order is already in place.