Man slapped partner's face and strangled her in drunken rows

Police officers visited Ranelagh Road in Weymouth to investigate an allegation from Rafal Rolinski’s partner that he had assaulted her on Sunday, July 11.

Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, explained how they had been living together for ‘a short time’ but had been in a relationship for ‘a number of years’.

He told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court: “On the evening of July 11, police received a call from his partner saying that the defendant had hit her in the face and they had been both been drinking.

“Police attended the address and the defendant was present as was the victim.

Weymouth Magistrates' Court

“The defendant appeared to be very intoxicated. Victim indicated to the police the left side of her face which appeared to have two small marks under the nose and left cheek.”

“She disclosed that he had slapped her four or five times to the face.”

The victim also disclosed that Rolinski strangled her for a ‘split second’ and also threw a wireless speaker at her on Saturday, July 10.

Mr Oakley continued: “She also stated the previous day after he had been drinking, he had strangled her for a split second and hit her on the back with a large wireless speaker, although no injures were caused.”

When interviewed by police, Rolinski recalled assaulting his partner. He also admitted they ‘both had a drinking problem’ admitted that he ‘becomes aggressive when he drinks’.

Concerns were also raised when two children, aged 11 and 17, were living in the property.

Rolinski, a Polish national, of Ranelagh Road, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at his address on Saturday, July 10, and Sunday, July 11.

Boyfriend remorseful but partner has ‘not supported his prosecution’

Mitigating, Lee Christmas, said Rolinski is remorseful of his actions and blamed the argument and physical assaults on consuming too much alcohol.

He said: “He is a man of previous good character, no previous convictions or criminal record, and he has accepted that drink plays a part in this.

“He says he and his partner drink too much, arguments happened and admits these two times he has become physical.

“His partner recently lost her job and moved into his home. Before that, they had their place where they could stay.”

The court heard how the victim has ‘not supported the prosecution’ and declined to share a statement, and shared she had forgiven Rolinski.

Mr Christmas said: “His partner tells the police that her partner is a good man, he is not a bad person, hardworking and cleans around the home and she doesn’t want him prosecuted.”

Sentencing of 'serious' assaults to take place on future date

Chair of Magistrates, Robert Ford, described his actions as ‘serious’ and said the court will have to decide an adequate sentencing at a later date.

He said: “We have a person of a previous good character committing assaults on the same person on consecutive days.

“We have had evidence there are children living in the property. We have also got a situation where there were multiple slaps to the face on the first occasion and albeit a momentary but still a strangulation.

“In those circumstances, it is so serious we have consider a community penalty but all our options remain open.”

The case was adjourned in order for a pre-sentence report to be written. Rolinski will appear at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, September 16.