News Vodka binge sparks attack on partner
A Goole man who punched and kicked his girlfriend of 12 years after drinking has been given a conditional discharge.
Janis Ragainis (46), of Marlborough Avenue, appeared before magistrates in Goole on Tuesday, and pleaded guilty to assaulting his partner by beating.
The court heard that on the on November 11 last year Mr Ragainis returned from work and began drinking vodka.
"During the afternoon, he started to argue with the complainant," said prosecutor Julie Laverack Glanville.
"About 8pm, she and the defendant were in the kitchen, arguing.
"The defendant then punched his girlfriend to the left side of her head, to her temple. This caused her to fall to the floor."
Mr Ragainis then kicked her in the same place, leaving her with swelling and bruising just above her eye.
The defendant then went to bed. He was later arrested by the police and taken to Beverley Police Station, where he was interviewed in the presence of an interpreter.
"During the interview, he said he remembered drinking a bottle of vodka with the complainant and her friend," Mrs Glanville said.
"He said he couldn't remember punching his girlfriend but said his arm was aching. He couldn't recall kicking her. He didn't deny the assault but clearly puts the blame on drink."
Through an interpreter, Mr Ragainis told the court that he now remembered more of the incident.
"I became upset," he said. "Probably, I wasn't able to explain my opinion to her."
He told the court he now had a good relationship with his girlfriend, and regretted what happened.
Magistrates told him: "This is a serious offence."
They gave him a conditional discharge for 12 months, and ordered him to pay £55 in costs.
'Should you commit a further offence, you will be brought back to court and you will be punished for this offence and any other new offence you have committed. The punishment will be more severe," they said.
No compensation order was made.
Published on 7th February 2008 in News.
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