News

Man threw 'boxing-style' punches at girlfriend

By James Chapple
January 08, 2013

A MAN from Aldershot flew into a rage and threw 'boxing-style' punches at his girlfriend after she received a Facebook message from another man.

Florin Ilie, 25, of Station Road, was seen by neighbours swinging partner Laura Ilyes around the room before delivering two 'full-force' blows to her face, a court heard.

Ilie claimed it was the first time the pair - who plan to marry in August - had argued but admitted hitting her after she started shouting at him.

Pleading guilty to one count of assault, Ilie was fined £150 during a hearing at Aldershot Magistrates' Court on January 3 where Louise Morton, chairman of the bench, said the defendant must understand the severity of his actions.

"Incidents of domestic violence are treated very seriously in the courts," she said. "We have heard this was the first incident between you and your partner.

"But be warned, if anything else happens, the court will take a much more serious view. You must be very careful."

For the prosecution, James Burnham said the incident on December 16 was unusual in so much as it was brought to the attention of the police by eyewitnesses rather than a complainant.

Two neighbours spotted Ilie acting aggressively towards Ms Ilyes.

"They saw the defendant with his hands up against her face delivering full-force, boxing-style punches to the face," said Mr Burnham.

At police interview, Ilie said he discovered a Facebook message sent to Ms Ilyes by another man, sparking a 10-minute argument where he swore at her and asked to be left alone.

"He claims only to have slapped her," said Mr Burnham. "It was the first time they had had a physical argument and he agreed it was not correct to hit someone in the face."

Defending Ilie, Emma Schulhof asked the magistrates to accept what he had said to police but conceded that if it had been just a slap, Ilie would likely have been let off with a caution.

"He is a man of previous good character," added Ms Schulhof. "And he is deeply ashamed of his behaviour."

Ilie was also ordered to pay £50 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.