A DOMESTIC abuse victim has slammed a court sentence given to her ex-partner for an assault on her.
Vicky Aylett, 22, was left with minor injuries after being manhandled by her ex-fiance Stiven Vitale.
Their six-month old son Taio-Romeo was in the living room of the home they shared in Greatham at the time of the incident.
Vitale, 26, was arrested and appeared in court where he admitted a charge of common assault.
He received a six-month supervision order by a judge at Teesside Crown Court and was ordered to do 80 hours community work.
But Vicky slammed the sentence as too soft.
The mum-of-two said: “I feel it’s just too lenient.”
The couple had been in a relationship for two and a half years and were engaged before splitting up around last Christmas, but still shared the same house.
Vicky was getting ready to go to a neighbour’s house on April 8 when Vitale pulled her up from the floor causing her to fall over a chair in the living room.
He admitted then pulling her by her wrists into the kitchen and made menacing threats.
Vicky, of Seaton Carew, said: “He got really angry and just lost his temper.
“I still to this day don’t know why.
“He kept shouting and threatening me.”
Vitale, of High Street, Greatham, was due to stand trial after he was charged with making threats to kill and common assault.
He denied the threats charge and prosecutors offered no evidence, but he admitted common assault.
Vicky, a shop cashier, who also has a two-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, said the incident has made her more fearful.
She said: “I won’t go out in the town centre or shopping on my own in case I bump into him.
“I’m constantly checking on the kids and that my doors and windows are locked.
“I never used to be like this. I used to be quite strong and nothing would bother me before.”
Vicky has been helped by domestic abuse agency Harbour and Victim Support, adding: “They have been really supportive through the whole process.
“I would encourage anyone who has been in a similar situation to contact Harbour for help.”
●Harbour can be contacted on (01429) 277508, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.