Isle of Wight man said OK to smoke cannabis in front of baby

An arrest warrant secured the attendance of Harry Downer, of Windmill Lane, Freshwater, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court after he failed to turn up to his own trial on September 20.

Downer was found guilty for an assault against a woman by beating, and causing damage to her mobile phone, on January 9.

He admitted the additional charge of failing to appear in court.

Downer, who had been in a relationship with the woman for three years, saw it end when their child was three months' old.

On the day in question, an arrangement was made by the child's mother to go to Downer's home to collect the youngster.

On her arrival, Downer was lighting up a cannabis joint while the child was in the living room and she confronted him.

Downer reacted by putting his lit joint towards her, just touching her eyelashes, then attacked her — pushing her, then punched her face, causing her to fall to the floor, landing on top of her daughter, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

The court was not told of any injury caused to the baby.

The victim, with blood streaming from her face, said she had to kick out to protect herself.

As she tried to call the police, he continued to punch her and snatched her phone, smashing it to the floor.

She then ran out with the child for own safety. She suffered swelling to her face.

In interview, Downer accepted he was smoking cannabis, but told officers it was his daughter and he could do whatever he wanted in front of her.

It was a prolonged attack, aggravated by being a domestic assault in front of their child, Ms Miller added.

For Downer, Jim Osborne had his request for a report on his client granted by magistrates.

Downer failed to attend his trial because he had overslept, which he regretted. He handed himself in to the police while a warrant was out for his arrest.

Downer was bailed to reappear for sentencing at the same venue on October 20.