A domestic abuser has been caged for three years after brutally attacking a pregnant woman, who he kicked in the stomach after knocking her down in an alleyway. Lathan Middleton, 35, first punched the victim eight times in the face, leaving her with a suspected broken nose, in July 2025, Lincolnshire Crown Court heard.
In another violent attack in December of the same year, Middleton launched himself at the woman and knocked her down in an alleyway when she was six weeks pregnant. He then kicked her in the stomach, knowing she was pregnant.
Middleton struck again in May this year when he visited the woman’s home to pack his things, and as he left, he grabbed her by the throat.
The BBC reports Middleton, of no fixed address, admitted two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of intentional strangulation.
Defending Middleton, Neil Sands said his client accepted his best mitigation was his guilty pleas.
“He did not pursue a pointless trial and put the victim through that,” Mr Sands added.
Middleton must also serve an extra two years on an extended licence following his release from prison after Judge Catarina Sjolin-Knight decided he was a dangerous offender.
Passing sentence, the Judge Sjolin-Knight told Middleton: “You are repeatedly violent, that is your fault, certainly not a pregnant woman’s.
“You kicked her to the stomach. She was pregnant and you knew that.
“You left her in the alleyway for 10 minutes where an elderly couple helped her.”