A THUG who hurled a mobile phone at his heavily pregnant partner's face has been spared jail.

Wilson Gusmao caused the 'vulnerable' woman's nose to bleed during the row and just weeks later he damaged her phone in another argument.

A court heard that the relationship had been 'toxic' and had involved a series of other rows.

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The 22-year-old of Hollow Way, Oxford was set to stand trial for assaults, criminal damage and controlling behaviour in relation to the victim.

At the first day of his trial at Oxford Crown Court yesterday he admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and damaging property.

Prosecutor Kellie Enever said those pleas were acceptable and no trial would be sought on the other counts.

Outlining the case she said Gusmao had been in a relationship with his victim since November 2018.

On December 12 last year Gusmao came home from work at about 7pm.

A row ensued because she hadn't answered his calls that day and he began to 'shout at her and call her names.'

The woman was heavily pregnant at the time and she became 'frightened' at his behaviour.

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Gusmao went on to grab the woman's phone before throwing it at her face, striking her nose and causing it to bleed, and leaving a bruise.

The second incident of damaging property took place just weeks later on Christmas Eve.

Gusmao got into another row with his partner, shouting at her, before taking her mobile phone and throwing it to the floor, causing damage to the screen.

The court went on to hear that Gusmao has one previous conviction five years ago for one count of wounding with intent.

In mitigation Liam Edwards, defending, said that the relationship between his client and the victim had been 'toxic' involving 'many arguments.'

He said: "He accepts he does have jealous tendencies and he does not hide from that."

Mr Edwards said that Gusmao 'deeply regrets' the violence that took place.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Gledhill QC said: "Assaulting a woman is despicable.

"Assaulting a person when she was very heavily pregnant is even worse.

"You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. You are a young man with an anger management problem.

"You are a young man who has problems which you want to sort out as soon as possible."

Gusmao was jailed for eight months, suspended for two years.

He must also pay £1,000 court costs and a victim surcharge and obey a restraining order indefinitely.