Mum brutally attacked in Northampton General Hospital children's ward while baby son was being treated

A man beat the mother of his children during a brutal attack in a hospital ward where their baby son was being treated.

Northampton Crown Court heard John McNamara, 37, repeatedly punched and kicked the woman, stamping on her face and trying to choke her.

The unprovoked assault, in May 2019, left the woman with:

■ A fractured cheekbone.

■ Cuts underneath an eye

■ Bruising to her chest

■ Visible strangulation marks to her neck

■ McNamara's footprint on her forehead.

Police labelled the beating "disgusting and brazen" and hailed the woman's exceptional bravery after McNamara was convicted of Section 20 Assault – inflicting grievous bodily harm — last month.

McNamara, of Towcester, was convicted after a five day trial and given a 19-month suspended sentence and a five-year restraining order by His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo.

Lead Investigator, DC Chris Mann, said: “This was a very public and terrifying attack which took place in the middle of a children’s ward at Northampton General Hospital, at the bedside of a seven-month-old child, who was on oxygen.

“It was a disgusting and brazen attack and the woman in this case has shown exceptional bravery in supporting this prosecution and our investigation from beginning to the end. I cannot overstate how much courage she has shown.

"Our victim in this case was always of the opinion that if she didn’t take the stand, things would never change and she hopes others have the same courage to take a stand against domestic related violence, and bring perpetrators of domestic violence to justice.

“This case has been a dark cloud over her head since it happened in May 2019 and I am glad that it has reached a conclusion with McNamara being convicted of the offence against her.”