Man avoids jail after battering girlfriend and causing her to lose baby

A thug who caused his pregnant lover to lose her baby after accusing her of having affairs with his father and uncle avoided jail today.

Godwin Mattia, 22, left Samantha Douglas so terrified she had to leap from a second-floor window to get away on January 27 2019.

Miss Douglas was unable to walk for six weeks after sustaining fractured knee caps and wrists at The Willow Hotel, Glasgow.

A hospital test confirmed she was seven weeks pregnant before an exam three days later found she had lost the baby.

Mattia pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assault to Miss Douglas’ severe injury and danger of life.

But, he walked free from court after it was determined that Mattia was “mentally ill” during the time of the incident.

Instead, Mattia was put under supervision for three years and put on a 12 week curfew keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am.

Sheriff Martin Jones QC said: “I would be sending you to prison for years and not months for this type of behaviour.

“Your mental health is being treated and you are subject to another order.

“It seems to me to impose a custodial sentence now would have a significant detrimental effect on your mental health.”

The court heard the pair were together for seven months and had no children.

Prosecutor Mark Allan said: "The accused began to accuse Miss Douglas of having an affair with his father and uncle.

"He stood up and sat on top of her and slapped her to the face.

"He seized hold of her body and threw her to the floor and slapped her a further three times before striking her to the right side of her body.

"He grabbed a pillow and held it over her face while she lay on the ground and restricted her breathing.”

Brave Miss Douglas struggled free and ran to the open window before climbing out.

Mr Allan said: "The accused grabbed her leg to stop her climbing out."

"She was in fear for her life so over to the roof area then jumped 25 feet to the ground below.”

An off-duty police officer later heard Miss Douglas’ cries for help and found her lying injured.

Mattia told the officer that she was his partner and that she jumped from the window after an argument.

He tried to flee the scene but was stopped by officers and arrested.

Miss Douglas was taken to hospital meantime for treatment to a head wound which required two stitches.

Both her wrists and kneecaps were also fractured which required plates and splints to be fitted.

Mr Allan added: "She intimated that she may be pregnant and a test on January 28 2019 confirmed she was.

"On January 31 Miss Douglas was assessed at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Care and was found to have miscarried.”

Neil Stewart, defending, told the court Mattia, who has schizophrenia, was convicted of a sexual assault last November and received a community disposal as well as being put on the sex offenders register for five years.

A five year non-harassment order was also granted stopping Mattia from contacting the victim.

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.