Runcorn man attacked pregnant mother of his unborn child

Joshua Childs, of Boston Avenue in Runcorn, has been sentenced to 32 months after admitting to assaulting and strangling his 15-week-pregnant partner.

During the sentencing at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (September 18), the victim revealed she has started therapy and spoke of her struggle sleeping due to nightmares and flashbacks of the attack.

She added: “I don’t feel like the person I was before.

“I struggle to leave the bed and face the world.”

Jayne Morris, prosecuting, told the court how the victim was 15 weeks pregnant at the time of the attack - June 20, 2024.

Childs, 34, was at his mother’s house in Runcorn, drinking wine in the garden.

An argument broke out when the victim arrived as Childs had promised not to drink following a previous conviction in October 2023, when he was jailed for three months for punching the same woman.

When the victim tried to leave, Childs locked the door and pulled her to the floor, at which point he started kicking her.

“She can’t recall how many times she was kicked,” said Ms Stewart.

“She was just trying to protect her stomach.”

Childs bent over and punched the victim in the face, shouting ‘the baby isn’t even mine’ and ‘I’m going to kick that baby out of you’.

Police arrived and the victim was taken to hospital, where she was found to have suffered multiple bruises to her face and body.

Joshua Childs was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday (September 18) (Image: Newsquest)

Daniel Lister, defending, said his client was ‘remorseful’ and ‘needs to address his alcoholism’.

Taking into account Childs’ ‘substantial record of violence’, including 11 previous convictions, Recorder Jeremy Lasker sentenced him to 32 months, of which he must serve up to half before being released on licence.

He said: “You had been in a relationship for 12 months or so. It had been a turbulent, often violent, relationship. You described it as toxic, especially so when you were under the influence of alcohol.”

Mr Lasker added: “You pulled her onto the hallway floor and began what I regard as a vicious attack, repeatedly kicking her while she tried to protect her unborn child.

“You then bent over her and rained down punches on her with your clenched fist.

“You put both hands around her throat and applied significant pressure, making it difficult for her to talk or swallow.”

He continued: “The victim has been brave enough today to come to court today to read that statement.

“She was anxious then and continues to be anxious, not just for herself but for her unborn child

“She is scared for the future, not least for the time when you will be released from custody.”

Mr Lasker also made an indefinite restraining order, banning Childs from contacting the victim and entering two specified addresses, in Runcorn and Widnes.