Fireman to compensate for beating up girlfriend
A fireman, who beat up his girlfriend brutally in front of her seven-year-old son, has been ordered to pay his victim £1,200 in compensation.
By doing so, he will be avoiding a jail term which can go up to nine months.
Following last week's sentencing, the fireman was suspended from his position while the fire brigade will undertake an internal investigation.
The 33 year old man attacked his girlfriend, a mum-of-two, and left her with a fractured eye socket and extensive bruising.
The vicious assault happened last May in front of the 32 year old woman's young son, said the personal injury lawyers representing the distraught woman.
The firefighter, based at Grays fire station, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent at a hearing that had taken place earlier.
Yesterday at the court he was given a nine-month prison sentence, but it was suspended for two years.
Along with £1,200 in compensation, the Stanford-le-Hope resident was also given a two-year supervision order and told to attend a domestic abuse programme.
Updated on 27/10/2009