A father-to-be who attacked his pregnant girlfriend and threatened to “kick the baby” out of her has been jailed for four and a half years.

Adrian Dennis, of St Thomas Road, Finsbury Park, attacked his partner with a walking stick and fractured her kneecap – all because he claimed she had failed to answer a text message.

After visiting her at home in Hackney and smashing her kneecap with the stick, he ordered her to make up an excuse for the injury and carried her to a neighbour’s house. The woman, in her 20s, was eight weeks pregnant.

Dennis was jailed at Wood Green Crown Court today after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Det Const Mark Longley from Hackney Community Safety Unit said: “Dennis attacked his girlfriend in her own home with a weapon. She was pregnant with his child and unable to defend herself.

“It was a vicious assault which caused an appalling injury. He then left her in agony for some 12 hours as he prevented her obtaining medical assistance.”

The victim’s ordeal did not end when Dennis left. Over the next few weeks he sent her a barrage of threatening text messages, including one in which he threatened to kill the pair’s unborn child by “kicking the baby” out.

“It was only weeks later,” added Det Const Longley, “that she felt able to report the matter to the police and this set in motion the investigation.

“I am pleased to say that the victim has physically recovered and that her unborn child was unharmed during the incident.

“This child is due in several weeks and I wish the mother well as she begins a new chapter of her life.

“Dennis has been rightly sentenced to a custodial sentence which should protect both the victim and other women from his abuse for the next few years.”